Finding the “Main Line” and Managing Chaos #179

An attempt to demonstrate how I unearth the main line of the landscape before me and how I use it to create an overall unity of “line.”

In Response to S

[richardw]

You said more in this 30 min video than probably all the other hours and hours of videos I’ve watched from other artists put together. Thanks for taking the time to explain in laymen’s terms the painting process and not trying to either hide your secrets in order to entice a purchase or make it so ethereal that you could only understand it if you were one of the lofty chosen few😏.

[andrecruz]

I feel you are very wise in your talkings about painting. Thanks for sharing it, in an honest way.

[richardgiedd]

Thank for another great talk and for sharing your discoveries and knowledge....

[rodmanjohnson]

Thanks for the observational demonstration, Paul. A dozen people can paint the same scene, but every person ends up with a different 'view'. Ultimately, what you see is what you paint . . . hopefully more pragmatic than interpretive. I noticed you didn't mention squinting as a method to find the visual main line . . . something generally stressed in viewing a subject for composition. Our general human inclination is to see 'objects' first, identifying 'things' by definition: trees. water. grass. sky. colors. . . . a kind of cognitive hierarchy to establish broader norms and isolate abnormalities that could be dangerous, etc. (an alligator in the canal would immediately stand out)

As you've said before, painters must see not things, but values-shapes-colors-lines . . . the construct of our visual world . . . in a way, UN-SEEING the objects. (an alligator would be part of the squinted shadows and possibly not 'seen') In a oblique way, you've also taught (through multiple videos) a great way to interrupt our own 'object seeing' is to use more poetic descriptions . . . again, the "clouds knifing into the soft hill".

[juliamacbrien]

I enjoy all your posts and it is a pleasure to sit back and listen--since you aren't hyped up like a game show host! (And you don't feel the need for a music track of rap.)
I learned a great deal today.
I thought you would change the treeline since I found the pyramid shapes of the trees very similar & spacing too regular.
I am a beginner & you showed how little it takes to tweak "the chaos". Thx.

[adventurepainter]

this is such a useful insight!!! thank you!

[canvasengineer]

I'm studying the concept of film blocking rn and it's interesting how a lot of what you spoke about correlates with how directors try to frame scenes and capture the viewers attention.

[querenstewart]

Hi Paul
Love this one!
Sort of seen it somewhere but it's never been explained so well(for me).
Definitely going to explore this one and see what it leads to?
Sheila