Art of Painting...the three rules...

Art of Painting Blog
Musings and More from Don Sahli…


Art of Painting is not the only way to paint. The Art of Painting does take much hard work, discipline; it is a long journey full of many questions to ponder.

There are many other ways available, ways with formulas and rules to follow. Along the way you will meet many who have gimmicks and easy formulas to follow. I see them as very limiting and shallow. If every painting is “built” the same way, using the same technique over and over, there will be a “sameness” to the work. And maybe that is what you want…it’s not for me.

Every rule or guideline is judged and if found to be false – discarded. We have the law of gravity. It is proven the apple always falls from the tree…except in space. Newton was correct and his law cannot be broken when gravity is present.

If you want to be a painter in the truest sense – following Art of Painting philosophy – test the rules and formulas. If the rule or formula fails; it is to be discarded. In Art of Painting I know of only three rules. The rest is up to my observation of each individual situation.

The only three rules that I have found stand up to the test (and you can bet your life on them) are:

Start in your darkest dark! Always! This will key the painting.

O’Fallon Bridge 20 x 24
(Yes, that’s the spot where I started the painting)

Warm Light – Cool Shadows
If the light source is warm, all objects hit by this light will be
warmer than the shadows of these objects.

Azure Shadows 24 x 20
(Even the name suggests cool shadows)

Cool Light – Warm Shadows
If the light source is cool, all objects being hit by this light will be
cooler than the shadows of these objects.

Spring Lilacs Before the Window 30 x 24
(Cool light envelopes this still life, shadows are warm)

Aah, there’s the rub, the rules, the formula…could make the journey easier, less of a challenge; but would it make one the best painter. It takes training to learn to “see”, to build the confidence in that ability.

Enough for today, in the next posts, let’s talk about why some of “rules” painters may think are “rules” are not. Until then continue on the journey…I will be.

DS