Or How to Get a Painting Right the First Time 

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it and I am delighted you find my videos so helpful. All the best.

That is very kind of you to say. I am delighted you are finding my videos helpful. All the best.

that is very kind of you to say. Thanks so much Diana. All the best.

thanks so much. Glad you liked it and all the best.

Thanks so much Dennis. All the best.

Here's a news flash for you, and any other "beginner" (we all are) viewing this great art channel, it never gets "easy", and it is certainly not "fun" to paint, no matter how long you do it. Any time you hear someone say they want to paint cuz it looks like lots of "fun" you know they will never get very far. Painting, like playing music, is for serous people who want to learn something no one else, or few, can do. However, you never really arrive at your goals and that's what makes it worthwhile and challenging. The more you paint the more you expect from yourself, and the "goal post" keeps getting farther out of reach, but that should not stop you, if you are serious about it. It's also why so many people start painting and then give it up since they see no "progress" in their work. But it's not about progress, it is about learning something, and problem solving, constantly. Many people, it seems, produce painting videos on You Tube, but it is clear they only paint when they are "filming" themselves, with some awful music background, or on fast forward, without commentary or instruction. And their work usually really sucks, even though they seem to produce a lot of vids. You've all seen them, and know what I'm talking about, but Ian is not one of those people, clearly. He is a generous teacher. And like anything from computer programming to painting, the more you do it the more you will learn and the better you may get, but not always. I'm sure many computer programmers get fired because they don't keep learning new things to make their work if not "better" at least "seemingly easier", and that keeps them employed. Just a bit of advice and experience from someone who has painted a long time, in all media and genres, but is still looking at videos like Ian's here to learn some "new stuff" or review old things once learned. I'm guessing Ian never stops learning new things in art too!! So, all that being said, "happy painting" everyone!! LOL :D

Richard, Hallelujah! Well said.@@ronschlorff7089

@@ronschlorff7089 Thanks. It’s helpful to learn that the goal posts will shift if we learn something. I suppose “fun” depends on the person. Some find things that are challenging fun even if it is hard work (mostly because they enjoy being engrossed in something)… just depends on the challenge.

Definitely, fun is in the eye of the beholder. Some folks find golf fun, for example, but that's not my game either. I subscribe to what Mark Twain is alleged to have said of golf: " A lovely walk, ..ruined", or words to that effect. LOL. I like the idea of "problem solving" that art provides you with; it keeps your brain "fresh" and "alive", even in old age!! LOL ;D@@IExpectedBSJustNotThisMuchBS

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching.

you're very welcome. Thank you for watching

thank you Kamlesh. All the best.

So glad you are finding them helpful. With best wishes.

glad you feel inspired. Thank you and all the best.

thanks so much Mary

That makes me very happy to hear. Thank you Linda.

thank you. All the best.

You're so welcome. Best wishes.

You're very welcome Anne. All the best.

thanks so much Loreta.

you're very welcome Jane. Thank you for watching

Glad it was helpful. Thank you Joyce. All the best.

Glad to hear it Sylvain

thanks so much. All the best.

You're welcome Laura. All the best.

You're very welcome!

thanks so much. Glad you think so

Glad it was helpful. Thanks so much.

thank you John. You as well

You are so welcome. I am glad you liked it

you're so welcome. Thank you

thanks so much Anthony. All the best.

Delighted you enjoyed it. All the best.

Glad you enjoyed it Gary

you're very welcome. Glad you liked it

you're very welcome. Best wishes.

Thank you Christine. All the best

you're very welcome. Thank you Cindy

Thank you so much. Enjoy the painting process and have fun. All the best.

Thank you Becky. I really appreciate your saying so. All the best.

So glad. Thank you and all the best.

Thank you so much. All the best.

you're very welcome Marcia

You are very welcome. Thank you for watching

You are so welcome. Thank you for watching

kind of you to say. Thanks so much.

You are very welcome. I appreciate your kind comment

Excellent. Thank you Glynis. You may enjoy my video about how to paint greens: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE---b08asUCkk.html&ab_channel=IanRoberts All the best.

thanks so much Jean.

Hi Gayle, nice to hear from you. Delighted you enjoyed the video. Hope all is well. Best wishes.

That is very kind of you to say. Thank you. I wish you the best for autumn and winter nights in your little studio.

HI Anne, that is exactly the right idea.

Glad you liked it. Thank you Fernando

Glad you think so. All the best.

You're very welcome Nick

Thank you for the kind comment. I am glad I was able to deliver a video as soon as you were thinking about it. Best wishes.

You're very welcome Cathy. Thank you

you're very welcome Oliver. Glad you liked the final painting

Glad it was helpful. Thank you Pete

I like your expression upgrade your attention to nuance. Nicely said.

Wonderful. You may find this video of mine helpful - it's about taking and editing photos for a painting - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5Som-H9O92E.html&ab_channel=IanRoberts. All the very best.

agreed. It can be very freeing.

thanks so much.

thanks so much George. Delighted you found me and that you're enjoying the videos. All the very best.

Delighted you found the video helpful William. I've never actually met Chris, but he was from CA originally and we have discussed painting together next time he visits. With best wishes.

thanks so much Jeff, for the video and painting compliment. All the best.

I really like that quote. Thank you Rebecca. All the best.

you're very welcome Monique.

you are not alone. All of us have to practice that more. Glad you liked the video. Thank you

you're very welcome. Thank you for watching.

thanks so much. I am glad you liked the video.

Thank you!

thank you Mary. I appreciate the kind comment. Best wishes and excited to have you in the color course.

Glad you enjoyed it Julie.

Thanks so much Les.

thanks so much. Kind of you to say.

HI Carol, I would suggest, if you are not using one, that when plein air painting use a viewfinder to locate a design, and to organize it on your paper before you start. It really helps with overwhelm. So much stuff to look at. Good luck.

thanks so much Judy.

You're very welcome!

Delighted you stumbled upon my channel. Thank you for watching and I hope you enjoy my videos. All the best, Ian.

My pleasure Andrea. All the best.

thank you Debra. I am delighted you liked the video so much.

you're very welcome Sandra

I bought your book today and so far I am so happy I got it.@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition

Makes me smile to think of that timing. Delighted to hear it. All the best Greg.

thank you for the kind comment and I am so glad you like my videos. Hoping you all the best on your artistic journey. Ian.

Delighted you enjoyed the video. And the book. I find I am way more fluid with oil. Much more experience with it than with watercolor. I'd have to do quite a bit of watercolor painting before I think my efforts would be helpful.

Good luck Evan. All the best.

thank you Greta. Glad you like it.

that is great. Yes, this can be applied to any medium including watercolor. Glad you enjoyed it. Best wishes.

Thank you so much. I am glad you think so.

@@IanRobertsMasteringComposition: pleasure is ALL MINE! :)