Exploring Interpretive Color to Transform Your Paintings

If you try doing a painting in the next days or weeks, let me know how it goes and any thoughts or insights you had on the process. Good luck!

Thank you, Ian! Of all art teachers on YouTube, I always find your advice to be the most practical and presented in easy-to-understand, not intimidating, way. I am sure many of us feel inspired to go and try what you just showed in your video.

This is possibly my biggest struggle in elevating my art from basic to artistic, thank you

Ian, this is remarkable. Your passionate efforts to illustrate your insights through practicable examples really sets you apart as a teacher. It is rare to see such passion in a "free" video like this. The "value" you provide is phenomenal

New sign for my studio " my reference picture is not the boss. I am!!"

You have a natural affinity for teaching in a way that easily breaks down the most pertinent information in an understandable & organized way. Very good information. Thank you!

Perfect. This is exactly the direction I've wanted to go with landscapes and wasn't entirely sure how to get there. Using the color wheel to determine the palette makes perfect sense.

My painting is on a whole new level after watching, rewatching, following instructions, experimenting, being brave and coming back and watching again. Your quiet dedication and clear instruction is galvanizing. Thank you.

Great video and demonstration, Ian! So important. As a curious art student(now and forever) in the 70s, I’ll never forget the time I visited my neighbor who was art director/editor for the Saturday Evening Post and Look magazines. He had an original Norman Rockwell hanging on his wall. And he pointed out to me Rockwell’s use of color on shadow area of the face. It was a bold deep reddish purple. My neighbor told me that because the VALUE was correct, the color worked! And of course, relative to other colors in the portrait. Same as you demonstrated here. Wonderful!

I’ve watched every one of your videos and have learned so much from you, but this one stands out as especially mind opening. Thank you so much Ian!

It would be fun to see all those paintings framed and hung together. Or…I could do my own small series. Thanks for the lesson and the inspiration.

This knowledge of intensity of hue is what the expressionist movement did with their colour palette 🧚 They layered various hues of colours in the same intensity which enlivened the artwork Thanks for your generosity and kindness Ian 🥰

Ian, I have to admit that I'm not a painter but i had to give you a compliment. You have the perfect voice for an instructor. Your tone seems to guide the listener to what you are teaching. I wish you continued success!

I watched this video five times today. I cannot get enough. It is really a gift.❤

All three on screen during the closing segment would have been great.. But I've always preferred using attractive colours over the dullness that can be absolute realism, so thank you for the demonstration on how to control it without being too lurid.

Thank you for breaking down something I never clarified to the degree that you do when choosing what landscapes to paint. Value is the anchor, make sure there first is a clear pattern of darks and lights. Then, if I don't want to go with the typical blue and green which is most landscapes, try shifting the relationship around to another side of the color wheel, but keep the same intensity. I will be using this suggestion in my landscapes. So helpful!

Thinking outside the box opens up a whole new way of looking at a scene. You have explained it quite easily and what happens in the end is a variety of expressions of mood. I especially liked the last one.

You are as a talented teacher as you are an artist. An artist's artist. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you so much for these ideas! I haven’t been painting because of recovering from a long time of major surgeries and medical problems. I want to paint and this has inspired me completely.

A good lesson with great examples. It's so easy to just not think about this possibility, but it opens up so many options. I'm a fan of muted colors, and this allows me to depart from the usual green. Thanks!