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Every realistic painting is a series of abstractions pulled together.

Great abstract and realistic painters know

the elements and principles of art

and how they work in a painting.

When working realistically

if you can see abstractly first,

the forms pull together much easier. 

Yet, it is all about the design first.

In every painting there are shapes.

In every shape there is value.

How you design comes first. 

Then comes color.

Spend time designing in a sketch before painting.

When value is right you

can use any color.  That said, some colors work better than others.

When it is off, it is off.

That old saying is so true:

"Value does all the work,

color gets all the credit". 

Look at the colors used and how they work together.

As I finished developing a 6-week color course found my

own work became more sophisticated and now I'm able to

spot both design, value and color flaws in my own work and 

in the work of my students to assist them in raising their level

of understanding of the elements of design.

When working with color whether working abstractly or

realistically having a color scheme helps the message of your design.  

What message I heard someone ask- lol.

First, ask why are you painting this subject? What are you trying to say?

Then...

Look at small sections of my own paintings in process

I ask, "Is this area working as an abstract painting?"

If so, I am happy, if not, back to the drawing board.

These small colorful images are mine from

a sailboat painting at sunset. Yet, when I work on the piece,

it is an abstract painting until it isn't.

Sargent is a favorite artist for many because he 

said so much with a minimum of strokes,

keeping many areas abstract.

Here is this entire painting put together.

 You can see my emphasis 

is on colorful marks in this one and less on realism.

This was a painting I made before I created the Color Sense Course.

The course made my use of color expand. I am sure it will assist you as well.

This study has the entire color spectrum in it.

#AlwaysThinkinRainbows

It is a small study 5” x 7” titled:

Sailing in the Colors, pastel on #Ampersand Panel,

530 Burns Gallery in Sarasota, FL.

If you love color and want to hear more about color join my

email list now. Click here.

Here is my latest painting AFTER taking my own COLOR SENSE COURSE.