Light and Atmosphere in Oils
Copyright 2023 - Stephen L. Previte - all rights reserved
- Good paintings start with good references
- Don’t make it look like Grandma’s teeth
- Anything can be fixed — Well, maybe not that
- Corrections can be your best teacher
- Color is the most important part of the painting
- There is a time to intellectualize and a time to paint. Don’t forget to paint
- You’ve got to go through the uglies before you get to the good
- Seeing the problem is half the solution
- I’m not worried — it’s not my painting
- If you have to borrow paint — make sure it’s one of the expensive colors
- The color is OK as long as it’s not ugly
- The more we take off your painting, the better it looks
- The hardest thing to put in a painting is nothing
- Don’t forget the last 10%
- Do you like that? — if not, change it
- Stay away from white as long as you can
- Don’t be afraid of the dark
- It’s easier to lighten a dark color than it is to darken a light color
- Corrections can add needed complexity
- Sometime we have to be dragged kicking and screaming to a good painting
- Fear has ruined many a painting
- When considering your subject, always ask yourself what should I change
- Don’t chase a bad sketch — fix it
- If you want to be a good painter be a good observer
- Usually when we ask — we already know
- Always remember — flattery will get you everywhere
- Never forget — there’s nothing wrong with being wrong
- It’s not how much you get done — it’s how much you learn
- Ultimately a good painting comes down to good design
- If it looks too winky — reduce the chroma