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Introduction Many artists are familiar with terms like monochromatic painting and tonal painting, but the concept of painting with a single hue plus a range of grays is rarely labeled with a widely established phrase for this method. For teaching…
Cross-hatching involves layering lines at varying angles to develop value to represent light, shadow, and form. When the lines are placed close together, they produce darker tones; when spaced apart, they create lighter areas. In this lesson, we’ll explore the…
Before diving into color, painting in black and white is one of the most effective exercises for beginners. It sharpens your observation skills and builds a solid foundation in understanding value—the lightness or darkness of tones—which is essential for creating…
An Essential Element of Visual Language What is Shape in Art? In visual art, shape refers to a two-dimensional, enclosed area. It can be defined by boundaries such as lines (where the beginning point meets the ending point), color, value,…
"Detail Of Sol Lewitt's 1971 'Wall Drawing #65' At The National Gallery Of Art (Washington, DC)" by takomabibelot is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
A Foundational Guide to Sketching with Structure and Confidence This approach is different from the contour drawing technique I introduced earlier. If you missed that lesson, check it out here: Understand Contour Drawing Step 1: Break Down Subjects Into Basic…
Definition of Contour Drawing A contour drawing is an art technique in which the artist sketches the outline and significant edges of a subject using continuous or broken lines. The primary focus is on capturing the subject’s overall shape, mass,…
Post Image Above: “Bacchus” – Iron curtain of the Vienna State Opera. Artwork by Cy Twombly, photo by museum in progress. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. What to expect in my blog post: Please check Artists in Culture & History “Untitled”,…
I strongly recommend memorizing these three terms: tint, shade, and tone. Even if you understand them clearly now, these concepts can become easily forgotten or confusing later, especially as new terms and lessons are introduced. In color theory, it’s crucial…
1. Understanding Value: What is it? Value refers to the lightness or darkness of tones, essential for creating depth & form. It defines how light interacts with objects, shaping their appearance through highlights, mid-tones, and shadows.For example, in a black…
