How to Make More Dramatic Paintings

This week, I'm painting in the neighborhood and the scene needed more drama. How do you create more engaging, dramatic paintings?

I'll show you how I look at the scene at different times of the day. I chose the afternoon where the sunlit and shadow masses create an appealing interplay. The painting is less about the scene and more about using the scene as a springboard to craft an engaging design.

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[lisengel]

As always a very fine demonstration of how to make a well known scenario into a demonstration of interesting play of warm and cold, light and dark and of course an interesting composition of rhythms and forms

[BibleStudyPastor]

You use the YouTube video medium as a wonderful way to condense into a short scope lessons that couldn't be taught so well -- or so quickly -- in a face-to-face class. I know it is a great deal of work, and you make it look easy. But it really is a wonderful service to all of us. Thank you.

[JC-lkmz]

What I learn here is that the beauty is not so much in the subject but in the shapes made not so much by the objects but mostly by the design that comes from light and shadows and when we see this way, great paintings can be created, through labor. Be able to see and discover a good design, be able to sketch it and then paint it. Thanks for the lesson!

[StevenDempseyArtist]

I think the small changes you made are a masterclass in themselves. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I’ve learned more from this channel than everywhere else on YouTube combined.

[marglacey]

I love watching you paint. Your painting style is so clear and clean. No smooshing, no complex layering, Getting the light and shade colours right on the palette and then just putting them down to shape the forms in three dimensions. You are so good at that. It is good to have demonstrations. It really helps to have watched it stroke by stroke, colour by colour. I think there's a place for long form demos. The photos of the lane in different light were instructive. Light gives drama. Come back later if it's not there yet.

[paintcoach]

Your painting turned out great! You are making such great helpful videos.

[MSDFairfield]

There is genius in this. Seeing and studying light at various times of day. Finding patterns in the most common scenes, creating a powerful painting through abstraction, observation. I think it was most insightful when Ian shifted the focal point by highlighting objects off centre and guided our eye to a more balanced composition. I have always made the mistake of looking for the "perfect scene" instead of creating my own "perfect scene" from whatever is around me.

[Thedairy]

That was just a brilliant demonstration! You are one of the best teachers on the internet and I’m so grateful for your generosity in sharing your experience and knowledge. Somehow what appeared to be a dull subject turned into something quite special.

[nz]

I find myself looking for light and dark and composition in my everyday surroundings.
Again, thank you so much. I love watching your videos.

[dearbh]

I love the end result here. I live in Ireland so obviously there is no shortage of landscape inspiration to paint but I am really enjoying how I am training my eye to look at the ordinary things that wouldn't normally catch your eye and just like you say in this tutorial, since we are having our 3 days of summer 😁, it is really interesting to observe how the mundane can become interesting depending on where the sun is in the sky and where the light and shadows fall and change. I am totally fascinated with the two white chairs you showed us with the shadow in blue and I am looking for these contrasts in everything now. Time to stop looking and start painting. Thank you Ian.

[carolinegreene]

These videos are the perfect length for me. You present the concepts clearly and simply, in a way I find easy to follow, and because there’s actually a lot to take in, small bites work perfectly so I’m not overwhelmed. I’m going to be going over each video many times, I’m sure. I’m beginning to notice the big shapes, tones, temperatures, in the world around me, which is exciting. I did a practice painting today from one of your videos and realised that I often paint my darks too dark. Hooray! Lesson learned. It must take a lot of time and energy to create these videos, Ian, and like everyone else I really appreciate your efforts.

[daveannisart]

I like the idea of finding something in the neighbourhood because it really trains you to look more & from your video, watch for the light changes. Thank you Ian

[pleinaire]

YES!! drawing slows me down as well..very meditative and very helpful when painting outdoors!! Everyone is always in such a hurry to PAINT outdoors, when doing your thumbnails FIRST saves time and frustration in the long run.!!

[carolynroock]

You are the best teacher with so much good information. Love what you do for us!!

[marthacanady]

It all makes so much sense when you explain and show. It doesn’t seem to go so easily for me. Practice, practice, practice. Right?

[danam]

These are the best videos I found about simplifying paintings. I love the style and I want to learn to paint like this!

[GrandmaMuggy]

Enjoyed watching you turn an ordinary alley way into a lovely painting. Gives me hope to one day get brave enough to paint something outside in my neighborhood! Thanks for all this good info you impart on us each week!

[beretaspaas]

Hei Ian, I found your site a few weeks ago. Instructional and enjoyable. Have watched first thing every morning to get up to date (almost there).My One Year Past Covid - project is now to get myself back into drawing and painting for pleasure, which I enjoyed all through growing up, but gradually lost in working life, as Architects went to doing drawings on computers. 😉 You are a super teacher to bring me back to the joy of working by hand. Reflected and challenging! Tomorrow I receive selected new watercolour paints and brushes and will see how I translate your teaching into that medium and painting local. Sure fine, I think! Or I will have to branch out into the new guy on the block (for me), oil paints. See you next Tuesday! Look forward to it!

[Nurse]

I got your book last week, so much to learn packed in there . Now I’m watching this with one eye cocked out the lanai at my neighbors fence … oh the shadows I’m seeing - thanks Ian!

[pleinaire]

"Beauty in the every day!!" it takes an artist's eye to see the "light" of that statement!!