Acrylic painting techniques - Light & shade (Part 1 of 2) HD

Ever felt frustrated having worked so hard on a painting -- only to find it still looks 'flat'?

Is it the proportions? The perspective? Perhaps the composition?

Whilst these all play an integral part, the most effective method of making your drawings appear three dimensional, is understanding how light logic works.

If line drawing creates the proportions, handling of tone creates the form.

The theory seems simple and the changes in technique small, but applying the principles of how tone, light and shade work, will improve the illusion of form in every drawing you do -- regardless of the subject.

And the exciting part about it is, once you 'get' lighting, the principles never change.

In Part 1 of this 2 Part painting video demonstration we look at the theory, the drawing and then paint a simple form focusing on shadow, light and edges.

You might find it isn't your drawing technique that's wrong, but your lighting...

[scorpiovanna]

I always wanted to be a painter or artist but my family wants me to be a doctor. It's very stressful studying to get into college and I don't have time to paint, but just watch your video made me relax and feel calm, you teach very well. I hope to paint at least 1/100 of what you paint when I graduate and have time for a hobby. Congratulations, you're a great artist (and very handsome).

[slimfix]

I'm 73 now and it is 7:15 AM, You have warmed up my day with your helpful guidance. Don.

[andreww]

I'm not even a painter. This is just relaxing to watch

[PikeTJ]

I did this painting twice, the first time just like the video, and the second time I substituted green for the back drop and a red apple instead of yellow. Your knowledge and excellent videos are greatly appreciated. Thanks Will.

[LebannersHook]

"grab a brew and grab some biscuits"

Just the instructor I've been looking for!

[lindaleeharper]

This is without a doubt a wonderful tutorial for a beginner. I love that you detail the brushes when and where you change them.  The camerawork is excellent. We can see exactly what you're doing, when you turn brushes, how you apply them.  Thanks from a very very beginning painter. 

[QueenXenon]

I was worried that people would be afraid to do a vid like this for fear of boring the audience but this is exactly what i wanted to see thank you

[sandarahcatmom]

Isn't it great that these videos don't just disappear in time! I've been taking painting classes for several years at a local senior center and for the life of me, my shadows look like big black balls and I couldn't understand why the table should be lighter regardless of the explanations from my teacher. This was so clear and easy to figure out the whys and wherefores of what you were doing - by watching you do it. I loved watching the color choices and blending process as well. Very instructive. Thank you. This was very helpful. I'll keep watching.

[ReptarsaurusRex]

You look sort of like Vincent Van Gogh! That's cool

[jays]

What a great, educational video. I like that you're really passionate about this and it shows. Thanks so much for posting this online!

[theTwilightSystem]

As someone who has never been any good at any form of visual art, it amazes me to watch people pain or draw. You guys can think of something, picture it in your head, then MAKE IT! It's absolutely mind-blowing. I hope that I'll be able to do something like this some day. I'm an author and want to design the covers to my books, so I'm following several series like this to learn different techniques for getting the idea for my covers into a physical form.

[jlofurno]

I've sketched for most of my life but just recently started painting with acrylics. Your tutorials are the best I've found. The toned ground technique is especially key to getting good results. So far, I've painted the Apple, the pitcher and the cherry and they turned out pretty well. I'm learning how to mix colors and create form. It's a lot of fun!

[victoriagadd]

Such an ‘ordinary’ item: “the humble apple” (through the eye of an artist - nothing ordinary at all) and you have made it special - and that’s a gift. Great tutorial, Will. Thanks. So beautiful ... I love it.

[mikecunningham]

Absolutely amazing process. I've been trying to teach myself by trial and error for a couple of decades. Should have tuned in a long time ago! What a great service to make this available to the public. BIG Thanks!

[socalsal]

Thanks for explaining the color choices throughout the process. I've only been a graphite and charcoal artist, but was craving to work in color. It is a whole new world for sure, but I am loving it despite being confused most of the time! These tutorials are really helpful!

[mortenhansen]

here is how to speed up your learning of light. Just watch. Just observe every light curve. Every line, every shade. Just sit and watch and study and paint when you feel you understand. This is one of our great gifts of the mind; To see before hand. And it works for almost everyone almost all the time :)

[ryank]

thank you so much for these free lessons. I really appreciate it.

[sherrierichard]

As always, you are an amazing teacher. I love that you show us beginners the color mixing. We learn so much from watching you paint. Thanks!!

[tkataby]

I'm stuck because I've been trying to take up oil painting for the past months but finding it quite challenging. This video made me want to go back to acrylics and keep the oils for another time! Thank you!

[kolaas]

Its so great to see Will paint, I remember him walking into my gallery as a kid. He seemed eager to learn and I taught him everything I knew, and just look where he is today!

;):P;):P