Painting Tip #16

When the light source is warm, such as outdoors in sunshine or indoors in incandescent light, the shadows are cool. When the light source is cool, such as in a north light studio, the shadows are warm.

Painting Tip #15

Vary your edges – soften an edge by placing a stroke of paint in an intermediate value and interesting color between the subject and background. Remember that sharp edges make things come forward and should be used judiciously.

Painting Tip #11

Some of my artist friends never wash their brushes with soap and water. They just rinse them well in mineral spirits and their brushes seem to stay remarkably serviceable albeit a little stained! If you really hate washing brushes, you might want to give this idea a try!

Painting Tip #10

Try painting on masonite hardboard, prepared with a couple of coats of acrylic gesso or oil primer (sand lightly before and between coats), using only a palette knife to loosen up your painting style! You will be forced to simplify and not get hung up on details.

Painting Tip #9

It seems crazy and hard to believe, but white in shadow is darker than black in the light. Keep your division of light and shadow distinct!

Painting Tip #8

The sky is always the lightest part of a landscape. The only situation where another area comes even close to that brightness would be a snow scene.