John MacDonald 3 Video Combo Set

This Combo Set includes 3 John MacDonald Instructional Videos Creating Dynamic Landscapes John MacDonald is careful to emphasize that there are no secrets or shortcuts provided in this course. Instead, John will offer a fresh approach ... by giving you a deeper understanding of the entire process to create an important and visually stunning work. John lays out the painting process in three steps: Concepts you can understand on an intellectual level    Demonstrations so you can see the concepts take form in practice    Participation, because the only way you will learn to paint is to paint    You’ll discover incredible insights that are the keys to mastering any art form. For instance, it’s the value, not the color, that creates the illusion of space, light, and form in a painting; color contrast works only when colors are similar in value; and it’s crucial to see (and paint) shapes, not things.  Don’t be misled. While this course focuses on the basic elements of painting, and beginners will certainly benefit, each element is covered in such depth that even experienced painters will learn from it. In fact, many of the world’s leading artists seek out instruction from John to help them elevate their paintings to a higher lever. Any visual artist, regardless of medium or subject matter, can benefit from an in-depth examination of the principles of painting, such as... Changing your view to acknowledge that every painting is a brand-new invention, a construction, not a copy of what you are seeing    The hierarchy of importance among the elements in your painting    Why creating the composition and value structure are the most important components of your piece, and how to create them properly    How variety and contrast in shapes, values, colors, edges, and details are hallmarks of successful paintings    Methods to distinguish the important parts you can and should capture in a painting when faced with visual overload    You’ll find the insights in this video incredibly unique... John MacDonald is a painter’s painter, and one who will elevate your overall skills by demonstrating these important principles and showing how to make sublime, emotionally appealing paintings. “A landscape truly seen takes us out of ourselves, reminding us of the brevity of, and our interconnection to, all of life.”  — John MacDonald A Significant Shortage of Secrets & Shortcuts While many of our art courses provide you with insights into the minds of great artists, or unique tools you can use to achieve amazing results. Creating Dynamic Landscapes takes a completely different approach by putting the emphasis on the basic elements of painting and helping artists come to a deeper understanding of the process to create an important and visually stunning work.    Create Your Personal Painting Process MacDonald clearly states early on that this is his process. He cautions viewers to use what works for them and ignore the rest. But as he unpacks each step and walks you through, you’ll discover a process for creating incredibly powerful masterpieces, including: Choosing the scene Gathering visual information Editing the information Composing the painting Creating an underpainting to establish the value structure Applying color Manipulating edges, creating details, and finishing You’ll see how John MacDonald’s process is universally transferable, to any creation. And, in addition to subjective topics such as personal process, MacDonald provides several practical points, such as how to create color harmony easily and how to set up a non-toxic studio.  Further, he’ll provide information that can improve any process, including why you shouldn’t rush back to the studio to paint what you’ve seen, and how to use your computer as an aid to help make your paintings capture the memory of the scene, mood, and feeling.    Learn to Love Landscape Painting (and Beyond!) No matter what level or type of artist you are, the benefits you can glean from John MacDonald’s deep dive into process are invaluable. While there are numerous lessons that examine specific materials and teach little-known techniques, few explore in such depth the very essentials of painting. Any artist will come to a greater appreciation for and understanding of what makes for a successful painting. Although based in the fundamentals, MacDonald provides tips around subjects even the most expert painters can appreciate, including: Composition, values, color, edges, and details  The pros and cons of using photographs for reference  The pros and cons of plein air painting  Copying photos versus creating a painting  The five components of a painting  Finding a logical and efficient painting process  Choosing a scene  Gathering visual information  Editing visual information  Composing a scene, the do’s and don’ts  Identifying the essential values  The attributes of color  Understanding color keys  Using neutral colors in a painting  Creating edge contrasts  Identifying the essential details  Finishing a painting  Tips for being a more productive and happy painter Including an Inspirational Interview To supplement John MacDonald’s engaging five-hour demonstration, you’ll get a lengthy interview with the artist himself and gain invaluable insights into how he works and why he focuses so much on the process, rather than the result. You’ll discover why his subject of choice is landscape, where his inspirations come from, and what it takes to transport a viewer from looking at your painting to experiencing your painting.     Poetic Landscapes In this instructional video, John will show you: How to convey mood and emotion through your landscape paintings How to paint from a study or photograph and still get the natural beauty just right His proven 7-step process for landscape painting How to use the components of painting to your best advantage Why color, value relationships, and the quality of light matter when you want to achieve a certain look or feeling A better way to paint tricky elements such as snow His formula for structuring a painting that almost guarantees success How to create the illusion of light, space, and form in your paintings ...And Lots More!   John MacDonald is about to solve two big problems that most landscape painters experience: How in the world can you convey emotion when there are no tubes of paint labeled “Tranquility”, “Drama”, or “Peace”? How to create an amazing landscape painting when working from sketches, studies, or photographs.   You’ll see that John has both of these problems solved and he’s going to help you do the same.  By demonstrating his proven 7-step landscape painting process, artists of every level will be able to understand and apply John’s tried-and-true steps and techniques that have allowed him to create striking and award-worthy paintings. You’re about to see how color, value relationships, and the quality of light will help you elevate your ability to create a desired mood or emotion in your paintings. You’ll see how composition, selecting a focal point, and tonal underpainting make a tremendous difference in how people will see and experience your paintings. Even when working from a study or photograph, you’ll discover how to capture the natural beauty of the landscape — the relationships and important details that communicate true nature and not just a duplication of a potentially distorted photo.      Mastering Values   John MacDonald, a landscape painter for over 40 years, will lead you on an expedition to see, understand, and use values to create superior paintings. This course is a deep dive into how understanding and using values will fundamentally shift your approach to every painting you do.   Here’s just a glimpse of what’s in store for you in Mastering Values: A new way to see values in the landscape (you’ll see differently!) How to use values to structure your painting (this is a deep dive like you’ve never experienced before) Using values to give life to your color — no more flat and lifeless paintings! The best method to create depth and atmosphere in your paintings — a trouble spot for many artists, but now it won’t be for you! A specific technique to create better compositions — this is a must-see! An easy way to direct the eye (you’re in control of how your viewers see your work!) How to separate values from colors for maximum impact (this may be new news to you!) The way to convey mood quickly, clearly, and in a way that is full of emotion (you’ll be painting a mood, not just a scene!) How to slow down to speed up (no, really!)   A Strong Focus on Values! If a strong focus on values is new to you, or if you know in your heart that you are not strong in this area, this is the video for you!  John has an understandable, friendly way of explaining his approach that is easy to follow and he gets you involved so you’ll not only learn, you’ll apply your new skills.   John demonstrates many techniques for you, here are just a few: How to use photos to your benefit without it feeling like a photo The color filter to use to see the values clearly How to use a value scale to properly identify values A way to use your eyes to “see” values in a new way  The critical tool that instantly makes your paintings better The crucial pre-painting process that will improve every painting   John is a master at balancing the values in his paintings to make the mood accessible to everyone. You won’t be able to look away from one of his paintings! Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to see how John creates his award winning paintings as he shares his best with you.   Some of John’s Tools to Capture More of the Landscape Than Any Camera: Tonal sketches that go far beyond the limitations of a camera Utilizing a narrated video in your artwork Color filters that will help you “see” much better High-quality underpaintings   Experience these additional insights from this highly accomplished artist: How John conveys powerful moods in his paintings The power of having ONE focal point Why eliminating details is critical What “temperature contrast” is in using color and why it matters  How to value-align different colors for maximum impact   John’s style of teaching is captivating. You’ll be learning and you won’t even realize it!  Chapter Outline for Mastering Values Introduction - How values make a painting Value Concepts and Techniques Two kinds of values Four ways to see foundation values Composition and Foundation Values: The tonal sketch and the value it will bring to your paintings. Establish the Value Structure: Start the Underpainting Review materials and tools Discover two types of underpaintings Create a great underpainting Secondary Values, Details, and Edges: Develop the Underpainting Edge contrasts, place details to enhance the focal point Understand and apply the secondary values From Value to Color Relationship between values and color — color contract Finishing the Painting When it’s time to stop! Using frames to evaluate and avoid overworking   Bonus Features Subtractive underpainting Working in value keys The illusion of Luminosity Sun angle and values Fan Favorite! High-Speed view of demo painting Exhibit of works set to music Interview with the artist conducted by Eric Rhoads Insights from the artist