Fourth Painting Class

Had my fourth painting class today. Things to remember:

1. Just because it looks like that in real life does not mean it needs to look like that on the canvas. Do what's right for the painting.
2. The darkest shadows should be the closest shadows. Creates depth. Brings Attention to the 'foreground' of the object.
3. You don't have to make the background darker to make something brighter.
4. Make the darkest darks and the lightest lights BEFORE you start adding midtones. Prepares you for what values to put down.
5. Make reflected light darker than it appears. A little goes a long way. You want the shadow to show more than the reflection.

Honestly, I think I learned the most doing this painting even if it isn't very complete looking. Digital has killed my composition skills. I can make something, stretch it, move it and crop it, but I can't do that in a painting or on paper! Composition is going to be something I need to tackle. Charles tells me that shadow I did isn't too dark. I think I'm finally starting to see that. Hopefully I can show more of this painting in a week. Good class.

Oh, does anyone know how to take a picture of a painting without getting the glare? When I do it without the flash it is always too dark and I lose a lot of color.