TONAL PAINTING

Have you ever felt frustrated having worked so hard on a painting – only to find that the imagery still looks ‘flat’? Why is the your imagery in your drawing looking flat in appearance,  and lacking a strong sense depth. Perhaps it’s the composition? Is it the proportions, or is it the perspective? Some or all of these formal elements may play a part in why your painting may appear to lack depth, but the most integral and effective method for making your paintings appear three dimensional, is understanding how light logically works. If linear brushstrokes help to define shapes and proportions, the handling of tonal values in essence is what turns these shapes into forms in your paintings - giving the appearance of objects existing in space. This course covers simple observational theories and simple techniques, built around how tone (light and shade) works, and can improve the illusion of form in your paintings you make, no matter the subject.