When “Paint What You See” Doesn’t Work ~ The Art's Big Glass Of Wine

Friday, November 4, 2022

When "Paint What You See" Doesn't Work

By Nancy Tankersley

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Nancy Tankersley, "Salmon for Supper," oil, 22 x 28 in.

Painting Advice for Artists > If we only paint observationally and we rely on our visual perceptions, we are often wrong in our drawing and our values. Here's why.

By Nancy Tankersley

Most of us, at one time or another, have been advised to "paint what you see." But a quick internet search of optical illusions will give proof that what we think we see is not always accurate. If we only paint observationally and we rely on our visual perceptions, we are often wrong in our drawing and our values. That's why I advise my students to learn the principles of painting and then paint what they know they should see. And always they will begin to see more accurately.

For more painting advice, check out Nancy's latest video workshop, "Essential Painting Principles"

Artists with strong spatial relationship skills and the ability to accurately apply color in the correct value do exist, and for them, purely observational painting may be all they need. Even in my early years as a painter, I would occasionally get in the zone and every stroke would seem right. And then I would be surprised and disappointed when the same thing didn't happen the next time! I had very little knowledge at the time, but I did have enough skills to paint some paintings that didn't embarrass me and even found buyers. But as I took workshops and gradually learned the important essentials to understanding and accurately recording what I saw, my success rate in my paintings began to rise.

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Here are two of my favorite examples of how our brains fool us. In the ﬁrst example, the table tops are exactly the same size! It's their orientation and the placement of the legs that trick our brains into telling us otherwise. Imagine how your drawing could suﬀer if you only drew your observation without checking measurements. That's why I always say, if something doesn't look right, it probably isn't, and the best thing is to go back and measure, measure, measure!

The example with the cylinder and the checkerboards is a great illusion of value. The dark square A is in the light and the light square B is in the shadow cast by the cylinder. Because A is obviously darker than the squares surrounding, and B falls in the pattern of the lighter squares, we think that A is darker than B. If you block out all of the surrounding squares you will see that Square A is the same value as square B! That's because of the absence of light on Square B.

When students paint a light object such as a white hat or shirt, they almost always paint the shadow side of the light object lighter than it should be because they are thinking "this is a light object." And then they lose the sense of form and light. So rather than using your observational skills only to judge value, perhaps the ﬁrst thing you should do is ask yourself, "is that part of the object that I am painting in the light, or is it in the shadow?" If you determine this ﬁrst, then your observation of the actual value you are trying to paint will be more accurate.

Painting what you see IS important, but you must also develop your analytical skills to be a good painter. Then, when those essential principles are learned and successfully applied, it's time to sprinkle in some imagination and emotion and have fun. But always start with a good foundation!

Nancy Tankersley, "Crabs on Ice," oil, 12 x 12 in.

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"If You Learn The Basic Principles, You'll Be Able To Paint Anything Well" – Nancy Tankersley

Regardless of the type of painting you do, you must build a strong foundation of essentials.

Preview the art video workshop "Essential Painting Principles" with Nancy Tankersley here:

Nancy Tankersley: Essential Painting Principles

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Steamboat Art Museum 2022 Plein Air Winners

Nationally renowned and award-winning plein air and studio artist, Dan Young was this year's Judge. Young awarded $8000 in cash and prizes.

Andrea Gabel with her 2022 Plein Air Professional Division 1st place work, "The Cabeen"

Professional division 1st Place: "The Cabeen" by Andrea Gabel
2nd Place: "View from Strawberry Park" by David Harms
3rd Place: "Stages" by Cliff Austin
Honorable Mention: "Home Sweet Home" by Patty Voje
Honorable Mention: "September Aspens and Ferns" by Christi Patterson
Honorable Mention: "A Slice of Paradise" by Tony Hilscher

Open Division 1st Place: "Heritage Barn at Catamount" by Mona Bedell
2nd Place: "Fall Reflections" by Doug Hemler
3rd Place: "Hayden Historic Granary" by Pablo Hadzeriga

Awards of Excellence: These awards are given to artists by local non-profit organizations whose paintings represent their mission. The sponsoring organization can use the image throughout the year.
Historic Routt County: "Past and Present" by Jody Kauflin
Main Street Steamboat: "Cowboys with Cones" by Madeline Burrough
Main Street Farmers Market: "Up River" by Jennifer Cline
Yampa River Fund: "Yampa Searching Its Course" by Lewis Art Williams
CCALT: "Sue's Favorite Spot" by Sharon Rusch Shaver
Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp: "The Cabeen" by Andrea Gabel