What makes a great shape?

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  • čas přidán 18. 07. 2020
  • As an abstract painter, my art focuses
    on shapes. I love them. Regardless of the kind
    of art you make, they all incorporate shapes.
    Creating great, alluring shapes in any art,
    however, is difficult.
    What makes one shape better than another?
    That is what I am talking about today. Have a listen.
    It turns out it is not so much about the shape,
    but what is around the shape that makes it so good.
    By using contrasts such as scale, placement,
    and value, it is possible to take an ordinary shape
    and make it extraordinary.
    By paying attention to the shapes around the
    shapes in your art, you can optimize their relative
    strength.
    A single shape can only be so good.
    Imagine flying up 3,000 ft above your art.
    From there, look down on all the shapes to
    see how to adjust them relative to each other.
    I improve my paintings using this strategy.
    How do you improve the shapes in your art?
    Let us know in the comments.
    Nicholas
    PS If you haven’t already, join the
    Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group
    by clicking here: / 411720195949335
    #nicholaswilton #scale #artplacement #primarydifferences #contrast #artlesson #simpleart
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Komentáře • 74

  • @judykonopka9029
    @judykonopka9029 Před 4 lety +30

    My friend who had 5 boys living at home told me "You want to go on vacation? Come to my house and then go home - you'll feel like you went on vacation".

  • @JillianCooper
    @JillianCooper Před 3 lety +6

    I had just given birth to my first baby, a boy. I was bought a cup of tea and it was the best tea I remember. He’s 33 now. I’ve never had a cup of tea quite like it, even after my daughter!!!

  • @debbieotto131
    @debbieotto131 Před rokem +4

    Your teaching style is profoundly simple! I did your 5 day free. I’m a late in life beginner. I’m grateful for your knowledge. 🙏

  • @mimimccallum3848
    @mimimccallum3848 Před 4 lety +15

    WOW!! You have presented it so clearly!!!!! I think I will draw those 3 examples and hang on wall of my studio. Simplifying back the work is something I struggle with. This helps so much!! Thank you!!!

  • @catholictortillas777
    @catholictortillas777 Před 8 měsíci +2

    Thank you for explaining everything so grateful for you. I have been doing my art for only almost 2 years. Having found art later in life as an empty nester. It has become irreplaceable to my heart now. I love learning and being busy. Thank you again!

  • @rebeccasanders7151
    @rebeccasanders7151 Před 3 lety +17

    Found you recently on CZcams. Spent hours watching your videos. Have learned so much. You are amazing.

  • @joykumar7332
    @joykumar7332 Před 4 lety +8

    You are the best subtle teacher I have come across 😊

  • @susanrosen5828
    @susanrosen5828 Před 4 lety +10

    I had a similar experience while out cruising on our sailboat with my family years ago. Coming out of Narraganset Bay the fog came in and we could hardly see the bow of the boat! After many hours with only charts and a depth sounder to find our way we made it into the Point Judith harbor of refuge and dropped our anchor. I went below and opened a can of Sloppy Joe’s.....heated it up and threw it over stale hamburger buns. It tasted like the best steak dinner possible! Amazing!😀

  • @Fidelabstractfineart
    @Fidelabstractfineart Před 3 lety +3

    I now understand better what you mean when you say that when our art changes our personal life changes as well, or vice versa. I never correlated one with the other: the artist in me had little or nothing to do with me in my personal life. Your example of the marathon and the relation of shapes to each other is perfect. It also reminded me to keep it simple.

  • @JimmHugheyM.S.
    @JimmHugheyM.S. Před 3 lety +2

    As a runner for 35 years I can so relate to the dynamic you of contrast & analogy you present here. Thank you

  • @jrccdowning500
    @jrccdowning500 Před 3 lety +3

    Shapes are wonderful! Who knew they had so much power!

  • @joancollier4488
    @joancollier4488 Před 2 lety +1

    It does make sense! You've hit a nail on the head for me and a light bulb went on! I came in from a long walk in the hot sun and felt the contrast of coming into a cool stone house.

  • @lesagray6270
    @lesagray6270 Před 3 lety +2

    I'm in CVP and trying desperately to GET values to work effectively. On my travels I climbed to Mt Kala Pathar in Everest (equal elevation to base camp) with very little training and only my more experienced partner to guide me. I understand the enjoyment of sitting down. I'm hoping I can draw (haha) on this for inspiration in values. Thank you for all your helpful information shared!

  • @tonyandrea7613
    @tonyandrea7613 Před 3 lety +8

    You are awesome. A gifted artist and teacher.

  • @Trissa.33
    @Trissa.33 Před 2 lety +2

    I had a similar, albeit very mini, experience just now with lunch! I went longer than I usually do to eat lunch and my body said loudly "mmmmm' as it was extra delicious due to that. This is a great video, Nicholas, many thanks.. it was so obvious from your demonstration of the relationship between each mark we make.

  • @berniceseigel6482
    @berniceseigel6482 Před 3 lety +2

    Great video. It is helping me start my adventure to abstract art. Thanks

  • @lorraineerickson4311
    @lorraineerickson4311 Před 8 dny

    Very good! It helps a lot very good, very helpful! I always try to add more. Thanks for helping me to see how to make my art better!

  • @farwat3481
    @farwat3481 Před 3 lety +2

    Your analogy was incredible and perfect!! Thankyou for this video

  • @annbenshalom1882
    @annbenshalom1882 Před 3 lety +9

    Amazing lesson! You really got me looking at those simple shapes and marks on the paper in a new way! Thankyou!

    • @randomdm
      @randomdm Před rokem

      Yes, me too. Fantastic lesson

  • @cynthiathomas262
    @cynthiathomas262 Před rokem +1

    what fabulous concepts!! thank you.

  • @KittehNow
    @KittehNow Před 18 dny

    This makes so much sense and it's powerful😊

  • @nigelbanksart
    @nigelbanksart Před rokem +1

    Outrageously relatable - thankyou so much, Nicholas 🔆

  • @karenwhite6140
    @karenwhite6140 Před 2 lety +2

    This video is really interesting! Your concepts apply to any kind of painting, whether abstract or representational. Thanks for sharing your - valuable ideas!

  • @sheripalmer3192
    @sheripalmer3192 Před rokem +1

    Nice analogy. ❤

  • @mydearRita
    @mydearRita Před 11 měsíci +1

    Your point is right on.

  • @LaurelDale
    @LaurelDale Před 2 lety +1

    I paint angels and this video just hit me. I have reduced my angels down into shapes. Looking to make my angels more interesting by working more with the shapes. Looking forward to more of your videos for the classes. Thank you!

  • @karylmorton5385
    @karylmorton5385 Před měsícem

    Love the art behind you.

  • @nancycloonan4646
    @nancycloonan4646 Před 4 lety +7

    Love this analogy! So perfect to compare your race break with shape making. It’s all related, which makes me happy 😊

  • @debbieotto131
    @debbieotto131 Před rokem +1

    I remember when we had a hurricane and lost power. I’m a vegetarian now but at the time was not. We salvaged some food in a cooler and had to use it asap. We had a bologna sandwich and it was the best sandwich. Remember we had no power for like 10 days. 😊

  • @rainazichterman2537
    @rainazichterman2537 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you for your insights Nicholas. It reminds me of how productive I become because of the breaks I take.

  • @louiseneville8640
    @louiseneville8640 Před měsícem

    Wow! This was so helpful!!!!!!!!!

  • @susiedeVille
    @susiedeVille Před 4 lety +8

    I don’t know what I liked better...the incredible artistic insights you shared or your laugh in telling your story. Bravo!

    • @edwardstanley4987
      @edwardstanley4987 Před 3 lety

      you all probably dont give a shit but does anyone know a tool to get back into an Instagram account..?
      I stupidly forgot my login password. I would appreciate any help you can give me!

    • @kenzorowen2048
      @kenzorowen2048 Před 3 lety

      @Edward Stanley Instablaster ;)

    • @edwardstanley4987
      @edwardstanley4987 Před 3 lety

      @Kenzo Rowen thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site on google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff now.
      Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will reply here later with my results.

    • @edwardstanley4987
      @edwardstanley4987 Před 3 lety

      @Kenzo Rowen it worked and I actually got access to my account again. Im so happy!
      Thank you so much you saved my account!

    • @kenzorowen2048
      @kenzorowen2048 Před 3 lety

      @Edward Stanley No problem :)

  • @ZillaD2
    @ZillaD2 Před 4 lety +6

    Thank you so much for sharing---this is a powerful analogy that applies to many aspect of life to day---including art...thank you

  • @Sheila.F
    @Sheila.F Před 4 lety +4

    It makes a LOT of sense. Thank you for sharing.

  • @ritazwicker3426
    @ritazwicker3426 Před 4 lety +3

    Loved this explanation !

  • @cathybyrne9444
    @cathybyrne9444 Před 3 lety +2

    It makes me think of Albert Einstein’s “I think 99 times and find nothing. I stop thinking, swim in silence, and the truth comes to me."

  • @MozzafiatoArt
    @MozzafiatoArt Před 3 lety +2

    Thank you for the insights, love your content!

  • @sunnyseacat6857
    @sunnyseacat6857 Před 6 měsíci

    So Earth is the canvass, a stationary plane, and the runner is like the paint brush moving across the plane. Fantastic. Now to apply this lesson ...

  • @nirvanashotsphotography3486

    I just love the way you explain things. :)

  • @howlingwind1937
    @howlingwind1937 Před rokem

    It does make sense! Cheers!

  • @paintingzoneart4026
    @paintingzoneart4026 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you. That’s helpful. It’s complex trying to arrange the many shapes in a composition to create the kind of comparisons needed for aliveness.

  • @isabellekramer6533
    @isabellekramer6533 Před 2 lety +1

    What an insight! Fabulous!!! Thank you so much 🙏

  • @reynaldocastaneda4712

    Always an inspiration.

  • @mwaz47
    @mwaz47 Před 2 lety

    Your instruction is so helpful and clarifies a problem I’ve been struggling with. Thanks so much.

  • @partycat414
    @partycat414 Před 3 lety +2

    Inspirational!

  • @sherrystone3307
    @sherrystone3307 Před rokem +1

    I just Love your art2 life videos ! I've been watching and learning from you for a few years. Hope to be able to take your next workshop ! keep up the great work !

  • @marysmith6223
    @marysmith6223 Před rokem +1

    You’re a great instructor ❤

  • @KS-wr4vv
    @KS-wr4vv Před 2 lety +2

    I really enjoyed your analogy. Nick I have a question about differences creating interest. I have always heard that shapes, colors etc should be repeated to create unity or a cohesive piece ? Are you saying throw that out the window and try this idea instead ? It might be what I have been doing wrong. I was just a little confused in how to use this in my work without it feeling completely disjointed.? Thanks your videos are really helping me translate what’s in my head to the canvas the way I imagine it. Finally

  • @marymccann-scott8690
    @marymccann-scott8690 Před 3 lety

    I'm learnings so much. Excellent.

  • @MJ-iv8ww
    @MJ-iv8ww Před 2 lety

    Thank you Nicholas!

  • @sigurjonhauksson6542
    @sigurjonhauksson6542 Před 4 lety

    Simple and very interesting.

  • @cliffdariff74
    @cliffdariff74 Před 6 měsíci

    Squaw Valley to Auburn... you are crazy...

  • @bonnieacurl
    @bonnieacurl Před 4 lety +1

    Thank you!

  • @dexefx7757
    @dexefx7757 Před 2 lety +1

    Literally looking at this issue with one of my paintings, and couldn't see what the problem was. If you name it you can tame it, thanks so much :)

  • @PatriseHenkel
    @PatriseHenkel Před 4 lety +2

    The shapes are having a conversation!

  • @monicastella9149
    @monicastella9149 Před 3 lety

    I learn so much from you

  • @sandywilson2522
    @sandywilson2522 Před 3 lety

    It's like needing to use the bathroom. It doesn't matter as long as you hold it in. The relief is inexplicable as the pain and fear of letting go, is released in seconds. I sigh. I cannot thank nick enough for giving me insight into my own predicament in life. A people pleaser whole life. Looking for feed back to justify my existence. I am doing art...I have no materials but a kind friend has offered to buy them for me as I have helped him in the past. He's the most illiterate art person I know. But he believes in me. My thoughts are black...he wants me to paint. I am after being inspired by so many people who are afraid to reveal their inner self. I have no ego but somehow, free from chains of conformity and walking in shattered glass. I wish I could afford to attend a class. So in awe of nick. 💐🎈

    • @sunnyseacat6857
      @sunnyseacat6857 Před 6 měsíci

      Lots of free videos online from which to learn and also videos to admire the works of others. The phenomenal composer Haydn was kicked out of music school because his voice changed from a boy's to a deeper register when he became a teen. Later on, he was pretty much an indentured servant for 29 years of making music until he was freed. Unbelievable but true.
      Ian Roberts has terrific videos online about oil painting as well - all free.

  • @richrogers2157
    @richrogers2157 Před 3 měsíci

    K.I.S.S. Keep it simple Stanley. And just keep going, and size & tone & position matter and juxtaposition and playfulness and whimsy but not to much …make the ordinary seem extrordinary .

  • @anitajulaniya1959
    @anitajulaniya1959 Před 3 lety

    Wowwwwww...

  • @lenmey1
    @lenmey1 Před 4 lety +1

    I get it but then I work and it’s so hard to simplify and paint over the things you like..but if they all stay it doesn’t work!

  • @Izabela-ek5nh
    @Izabela-ek5nh Před 4 lety +1

    A Superman or what? 100 miles on the hills?? I can run 1 mile!! I like a lesson a lot (as usual) :)

  • @joannavandeneijnden5437

    Great

  • @AngelDebstar316
    @AngelDebstar316 Před 4 lety

    en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Young_(athlete)
    You have to read this its AMAZING!

  • @abstractbybrian
    @abstractbybrian Před 4 lety

    I can’t help but think of Serge Polikoff (spelling?)

  • @ms181
    @ms181 Před rokem +1

    Understand the concepts you presented, but find having to do all that left-brained THINKING really slows me down and interferes with my enjoyment of simply making EXPRESSIVE marks. 🙁