My Design and Composition Tactics

Focus on Simple Value Shapes

It is incredibly important to squint to simplify what I see into light shapes and dark shapes. Keep the shadow shapes unified and connected for a greater sense of dimension.

Make a Charcoal Study or Thumbnail

Painting is hard enough already, so I try to save myself time and struggle by creating value thumbnails or charcoal studies before beginning the painting. These are simple tools that allow me to figure out some of the challenges of the painting before starting the finished work. Always keep your studies close at hand while you paint so you can refer back to them.

Draw with Shape, not with Line

Instead of drawing linearly, I draw the flower by wiping out the shape with a paper towel in the first stage of my painting. I prefer this method because it keeps my focus on the overall shape and mass of the flower instead of the details.

Temperature Describes Light

Pay attention to the temperature of the light on your subject. Is it warm or cool? Remember that warm light yields cool shadows and vice versa. Besides value, temperature is the most critical quality of color for describing the light and the sense of form in your subject. It is important to understand the temperatures of your paints in order to achieve this sense of form with your color mixtures. For example, titanium white is a cold color, but lead or cremnitz white is warm.

Study from Life

Flowers lose a lot of their subtlety when they are photographed. To really understand the nuances of flowers, I find it necessary to paint them from life as much as possible. I visit botanical gardens to paint flowers whenever I get the chance because garden varieties are very different from commercially grown flowers. Take the time to get to know your subject!