Painting Light and Shadow

The course is open to adults and seniors at all levels, including complete beginners and experienced painters who want a stronger understanding of value and tonal structure.

Students may work in either oil or acrylic paint. One medium is selected prior to the course start and used consistently throughout all six lessons.

The Six Lessons

Each lesson produces one 8x10-inch painting of a single object with a simple form.

Copying a Three-Value Painting

Painting from Life in Three Values

Copy a prepared brunaille painting using three fundamental values: light, middle, and dark.

Observe the object from Lesson 1 in a live setup. Find and organize the observed values into a new painting.

Objective: Learn to recognize, mix, and place three distinct painted values while maintaining correct relationships.

Objective: Learn to translate values seen on a three-dimensional object into a two-dimensional painting.

Copying a Five-Value Painting

Painting from Life in Five Values

Copy a new brunaille painting using light, light middle, middle, dark middle, and dark values.

Observe the object from Lesson 3 in a new live setup and translate its light and shadow into five values.

Objective: Learn to recognize, mix, and place five distinct values while preserving clear overall structure.

Objective: Learn to find, simplify, and organize subtle value changes on a live three-dimensional object.

Creating Your Own Setup

Independent Final Painting

Arrange a simple object with a clear directional light source and paint it from life in five values.

Select a new object, establish a live lighting setup, and complete a final five-value painting.

Objective: Learn to create a simple setup and apply the complete five-value painting process independently.

Objective: Complete a finished study independently applying the full five-value painting framework.