Using your Values to building a composition

I just finished teaching a workshop on painting landscapes and I thought I would share a few tips.

Original photo. This is a scene in France that I am working on.

I often like to make a black and white copy so that I can just focus on the values and not be distracted by the color.

I forgot to photograph Step 1 which was a  monochromatic value study. This is Step 2

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Step 2: now that you have blocked in the large areas of light and dark, check to make sure you like the design of your composition. This is the time to make adjustments. You can know start to build on the information you have down.

Step 3

 Step 3: Working within in the pattern of your light and dark values, start to build the color.

Step 4

 Step 4: continue to build the color, still mindful of your values. You can now begin to add details

Step 5

Step 5: Adding more detail and adjust the colors. If you keep your colors in the correct value range, you will keep the compositional design.

Step 6

Now for the fun to start - laying in the details and rich color. At this point, you are free to paint. You have your foundation set, so have fun.

 I will post the finished painting ASAP

Cheers, Dawn