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

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