Robert Henri wrote in his book The Art Spirit:
“However much you may use “broken color,” hold on to the few simple larger masses of your composition, and value as most important the beauty and design of these larger masses, or forms, or movements. Do not let beauty in the subdivisions destroy the beauty or the power of the major divisions.”
That last part is key: do not let the beauty in the subdivisions destroy the beauty or the power of the major divisions. In other words, don’t let the small details compromise the painting’s fundamental structure.
I’ll show you what I mean using a painting I’m currently working on. You can see a progress shot and the reference photo here:
With this painting, I started by broadly mapping out the shapes and colors. This formed the foundation of the painting, much like the scaffolding of a building. The idea was to then gradually add the smaller details over the top. But in this transition to the smaller details, I was guilty of compromising the fundamental structure of the painting (I let beauty in the subdivisions destroy the beauty of the major divisions). I got carried away with the light colors and playful brushwork, and this eroded the major light and dark shapes.
So what now?
Well, I must take a step back and consolidate the foundational structure before I add more small details. The small details don’t matter if the foundation is not right.
I’ll let you know how this one turns out.
Also, just two days left to join our Landscape Painting Masterclass at a reduced price.
Regards
Dan Scott
Draw Paint Academy
