AMANDA BRETT WATERCOLOUR ARTIST
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Lessons

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Value Dominance

13/2/2022

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2 compositional elements to consider when creating your next painting

Values: 
Dominant
Non-Dominant
Accent

and then converted to colour concept
Colour:
Dominant
Non-Dominant
Accent



PLEASE NOTE:

Values are your priority.


Colour is less important

the % points I have placed for each value is just a figure out of my head to reduce the chance of an even split eg a painting that is 50/50 dark/light will probably be dull and visually lacking. As you can see in some of my notan sketches


Why do we need a dominance in our painting?
The principle of dominance plays a major role in where emphasis occurs in a design.
use dominance to tell the viewer what is important, what to look at.
​it adds character, visual dynamism
Dominance gives a painting interest, counteracts confusion and monotony. Dominance can be applied to one or more of the elements of design to give emphasis and should always be considered. Be aware that it is often the subordinate element that demands most attention.
Repeated elements without some form of dominance can create monotony and confusion.​
​

HOMEWORK, for your next painting design:
  1. create x3 different designs incorporating value dominance concepts. no details just blocks of value
  2. paint a small value sketch
  3. select a palette to reflect your value concept
  4. paint a small colour sketch based on your value concept
  5. paint your painting!

What did you learn? 
what were your happy with?
what didn't work, what could work better for you?
write it down, comment below

NOTAN SKETCHES
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PAINTINGS BASED ON NOTAN STUDIES
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light value (dominant) 80% - dark values (non dominant) 15% - mid value (accent) 5%
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dark value (non dominant) 25% - light value (dominant) 70% - mid values (Accent values) 5%
​See you next week!!
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learning to draw/sketch people

19/1/2022

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It seems to me that a painting of an urban scene must have a people or two.

just like a rural scene might need a cow/goat/sheep - some life!

the problem is they must be credible, they must be drawn and painted well - if not ... well ... lets not go there!

so how to start?

start by drawing, get lots of photos of people walking/standing and drill them down to basic shapes - geometry!

I can't tell you how many pages of people drawings I have done - page after page after page, then I do more pages and pages and pages. In other words you can't draw them too much.

think of these three basic shapes U W O 
U - turn upside down, it becomes a torso
W - legs
O - head

once you've done lots of practice getting the ratios right (length of leg to body, size of head etc) you will naturally start to loosen up, let them merge, make a crowd etc. relax your hand and let your hand/eye coordination work for you. Keep your pencil marks light, fluid, gestural and lyrical (only use sharpened "B" pencils). avoid erasing pencil marks

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    Author

    Amanda's demonstrations include an emphasis on composition, colour, design principles, relationships and values.
    By helping you to simplify what you see and how you think, Amanda will work with you to develop quick and energetic painting
    ​skills whilst focusing on your painting "idea".
    ​A wonderful opportunity to paint with a ​contemporary watercolour master.

    Just a wee reminder
    ​

    I make my living from my art and teaching. I share links, resources and materials
    with you, paying students, they are yours to keep.

    But PLEASE, do not share my teachings with others who have not paid for the pleasure.

    I appreciate student's copying my work as a learning tool, but it is not appropriate for this work to be sold or exhibited. 

    Thanks for your consideration.

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Amanda Brett - Watercolour Artist

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Quality Guarantee: All my watercolours are painted with only modern professional grade watercolour paints on Museum exhibition grade watercolour papers, they are extremely lightfast and will become a family heirloom and passed down to subsequent generations. ALL art of ANY medium should be hung away from direct sunlight. If​properly cared for, watercolour paintings will last as long, if not longer, than oil paintings. I only paint on 100% cotton rag paper, mostly Arches and Fabriano, and frame to conservation standard with acid free materials.
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  • Watercolour News
  • SHOP New Original Paintings
    • SHOP Heart Air Balloons
    • Shop Fine Art Prints
  • Tuition
    • NEW!! Weekly Watercolour Classes
    • For Beginners
    • Watercolour Magic on Youtube
    • FAQs
    • Video Lessons
    • PaintBox Tips featured posts
    • Feedback & Photos
    • Plein Air Supplies
  • Home
    • Contact
    • About Me >
      • More About Me & Watercolour
      • What I See
      • Studio
      • Italy 2023
  • Join My Insider's List