This is a photo of the dining room of my house when we bought it:
Looks great! Beautiful woodwork and I don't even mind the wallpaper. But six months later, this is what that same room looked like:
Not because we wanted to move walls or change the layout. We had to take everything down to the studs because the structure of the house was no good. From plumbing to electrical to insulation to the foundation to the roof…the structure of this house needed to be repaired.
It's easy to understand that structure matters in a house, right? No matter how pretty a renovation is, if the underlying structure isn't good, the renovation is money wasted. It's not sexy to pay thousands of dollars for your foundation to be re-poured. I think we'd all rather spend that money on pretty tile or beautiful lighting fixtures. But the fact is, none of that "icing" matters if the house falls over. You've got to have a great foundation.
Art is the same way.
We spend a lot of time and money on the icing of our artwork — the colors, the brushstrokes, the embellishments, etc. But none of it matters if the foundation isn't strong. This is a graphic by artist Ian Roberts from his YouTube video about why composition matters (video is embedded below).
The graphic above beautifully demonstrates the way a painting is layered. Most people spend a lot of time and effort on the picture plane layer not realizing that their work would improve dramatically if they focused on the composition layers. You can watch Ian talk about this in his video:
Spending the time and energy (and money) to work on the foundation of your artwork is vitally important. If you want to have strong work, you need a strong foundation.
Join me for Design Boot Camp where we spend five intense weeks focused on building a foundation for your artwork. From a student: "This class was worth every penny! I have LOTS of work to do, but I feel like I now have the tools to carry me forward to where I would like to be."
Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you in class.
interesting video, i get what you mean about structure. can’t wait to use this new to me information in my art.
interesting video, i get what you mean about structure. can’t wait to use this new to me information in my art.
interesting video, i get what you mean about structure. can’t wait to use this new to me information in my art.
interesting video, i get what you mean about structure. can’t wait to use this new to me information in my art.
interesting video, i get what you mean about structure. can’t wait to use this new to me information in my art.
interesting video, i get what you mean about structure. can’t wait to use this new to me information in my art.
interesting video, i get what you mean about structure. can’t wait to use this new to me information in my art.
A friend ran outside one day and snapped a picture of a rainbow over her neighborhood. She emailed it to me and said, “Look! A rainbow.” The picture was charming and I wanted to do a watercolor of it for her, but got stuck planning what to capture. Thanks to this little video, I know what to do! Thank you Julie for this inspiration. LL
A friend ran outside one day and snapped a picture of a rainbow over her neighborhood. She emailed it to me and said, “Look! A rainbow.” The picture was charming and I wanted to do a watercolor of it for her, but got stuck planning what to capture. Thanks to this little video, I know what to do! Thank you Julie for this inspiration. LL
A friend ran outside one day and snapped a picture of a rainbow over her neighborhood. She emailed it to me and said, “Look! A rainbow.” The picture was charming and I wanted to do a watercolor of it for her, but got stuck planning what to capture. Thanks to this little video, I know what to do! Thank you Julie for this inspiration. LL
A friend ran outside one day and snapped a picture of a rainbow over her neighborhood. She emailed it to me and said, “Look! A rainbow.” The picture was charming and I wanted to do a watercolor of it for her, but got stuck planning what to capture. Thanks to this little video, I know what to do! Thank you Julie for this inspiration. LL
A friend ran outside one day and snapped a picture of a rainbow over her neighborhood. She emailed it to me and said, “Look! A rainbow.” The picture was charming and I wanted to do a watercolor of it for her, but got stuck planning what to capture. Thanks to this little video, I know what to do! Thank you Julie for this inspiration. LL
A friend ran outside one day and snapped a picture of a rainbow over her neighborhood. She emailed it to me and said, “Look! A rainbow.” The picture was charming and I wanted to do a watercolor of it for her, but got stuck planning what to capture. Thanks to this little video, I know what to do! Thank you Julie for this inspiration. LL
A friend ran outside one day and snapped a picture of a rainbow over her neighborhood. She emailed it to me and said, “Look! A rainbow.” The picture was charming and I wanted to do a watercolor of it for her, but got stuck planning what to capture. Thanks to this little video, I know what to do! Thank you Julie for this inspiration. LL
This is a great video. He presents some important ways to be looking at our photographs and paintings. His other videos on YouTube are informative and helpful too.
This is a great video. He presents some important ways to be looking at our photographs and paintings. His other videos on YouTube are informative and helpful too.
This is a great video. He presents some important ways to be looking at our photographs and paintings. His other videos on YouTube are informative and helpful too.
This is a great video. He presents some important ways to be looking at our photographs and paintings. His other videos on YouTube are informative and helpful too.
This is a great video. He presents some important ways to be looking at our photographs and paintings. His other videos on YouTube are informative and helpful too.
This is a great video. He presents some important ways to be looking at our photographs and paintings. His other videos on YouTube are informative and helpful too.
This is a great video. He presents some important ways to be looking at our photographs and paintings. His other videos on YouTube are informative and helpful too.
I’m not able to take this go ’round of boot camp, but sure hope you’ll continue to offer it. Work is just too crazy right now, but over the next year, I’m going to wind things down to retire!! yippee for me. Cross your fingers that my investments continue to hold up.
I’m not able to take this go ’round of boot camp, but sure hope you’ll continue to offer it. Work is just too crazy right now, but over the next year, I’m going to wind things down to retire!! yippee for me. Cross your fingers that my investments continue to hold up.
I’m not able to take this go ’round of boot camp, but sure hope you’ll continue to offer it. Work is just too crazy right now, but over the next year, I’m going to wind things down to retire!! yippee for me. Cross your fingers that my investments continue to hold up.
I’m not able to take this go ’round of boot camp, but sure hope you’ll continue to offer it. Work is just too crazy right now, but over the next year, I’m going to wind things down to retire!! yippee for me. Cross your fingers that my investments continue to hold up.
I’m not able to take this go ’round of boot camp, but sure hope you’ll continue to offer it. Work is just too crazy right now, but over the next year, I’m going to wind things down to retire!! yippee for me. Cross your fingers that my investments continue to hold up.
I’m not able to take this go ’round of boot camp, but sure hope you’ll continue to offer it. Work is just too crazy right now, but over the next year, I’m going to wind things down to retire!! yippee for me. Cross your fingers that my investments continue to hold up.
I’m not able to take this go ’round of boot camp, but sure hope you’ll continue to offer it. Work is just too crazy right now, but over the next year, I’m going to wind things down to retire!! yippee for me. Cross your fingers that my investments continue to hold up.
What wonderful information. So grateful for all that you open our worlds. While I was watching this video, I was thinking how you might make the understanding of composition more clear in the way that you teach. While I enjoyed what this artist explained, not sure how to bring into practice. I have learned through Covid that I do much better with classes that I can watch over and over rather than on zoom. I look forward to taking another class with you that may be directed towards achieving successful compositions. While I know all of the techniques, bringing into my art forms is another task. Thank you for all that you offer.
What wonderful information. So grateful for all that you open our worlds. While I was watching this video, I was thinking how you might make the understanding of composition more clear in the way that you teach. While I enjoyed what this artist explained, not sure how to bring into practice. I have learned through Covid that I do much better with classes that I can watch over and over rather than on zoom. I look forward to taking another class with you that may be directed towards achieving successful compositions. While I know all of the techniques, bringing into my art forms is another task. Thank you for all that you offer.
What wonderful information. So grateful for all that you open our worlds. While I was watching this video, I was thinking how you might make the understanding of composition more clear in the way that you teach. While I enjoyed what this artist explained, not sure how to bring into practice. I have learned through Covid that I do much better with classes that I can watch over and over rather than on zoom. I look forward to taking another class with you that may be directed towards achieving successful compositions. While I know all of the techniques, bringing into my art forms is another task. Thank you for all that you offer.
What wonderful information. So grateful for all that you open our worlds. While I was watching this video, I was thinking how you might make the understanding of composition more clear in the way that you teach. While I enjoyed what this artist explained, not sure how to bring into practice. I have learned through Covid that I do much better with classes that I can watch over and over rather than on zoom. I look forward to taking another class with you that may be directed towards achieving successful compositions. While I know all of the techniques, bringing into my art forms is another task. Thank you for all that you offer.
What wonderful information. So grateful for all that you open our worlds. While I was watching this video, I was thinking how you might make the understanding of composition more clear in the way that you teach. While I enjoyed what this artist explained, not sure how to bring into practice. I have learned through Covid that I do much better with classes that I can watch over and over rather than on zoom. I look forward to taking another class with you that may be directed towards achieving successful compositions. While I know all of the techniques, bringing into my art forms is another task. Thank you for all that you offer.
What wonderful information. So grateful for all that you open our worlds. While I was watching this video, I was thinking how you might make the understanding of composition more clear in the way that you teach. While I enjoyed what this artist explained, not sure how to bring into practice. I have learned through Covid that I do much better with classes that I can watch over and over rather than on zoom. I look forward to taking another class with you that may be directed towards achieving successful compositions. While I know all of the techniques, bringing into my art forms is another task. Thank you for all that you offer.
What wonderful information. So grateful for all that you open our worlds. While I was watching this video, I was thinking how you might make the understanding of composition more clear in the way that you teach. While I enjoyed what this artist explained, not sure how to bring into practice. I have learned through Covid that I do much better with classes that I can watch over and over rather than on zoom. I look forward to taking another class with you that may be directed towards achieving successful compositions. While I know all of the techniques, bringing into my art forms is another task. Thank you for all that you offer.
Great video! Thank you for sharing. Very insightful
Great video! Thank you for sharing. Very insightful
Great video! Thank you for sharing. Very insightful
Great video! Thank you for sharing. Very insightful
Great video! Thank you for sharing. Very insightful
Great video! Thank you for sharing. Very insightful
Great video! Thank you for sharing. Very insightful
Ian Roberts is a great resource, Julie. I love that you source out so many excellent references that repeat and support the concepts and principles offered in your classes, especially Boot Camp, one of my all time favorite classes with you. And although I’d love to repeat Boot Camp I just can’t afford it this time. I’m sure you’ll offer it again when I can re-audit the class…..actually think about offering an “audit” option for students who have already taken the class, maybe at a reduced rate getting access to the class for a certain amount of time really helps not only to cement principles already covered but gives the student a chance to extend and embody that learning. Just a thought. I know it would be helpful to me because I see how beneficial repetition is in my learning process. I go back over the online classes I’ve purchased from you many times and each time something new “clicks” for me bringing me to a new level of awareness and confidence in making art.
Ian Roberts is a great resource, Julie. I love that you source out so many excellent references that repeat and support the concepts and principles offered in your classes, especially Boot Camp, one of my all time favorite classes with you. And although I’d love to repeat Boot Camp I just can’t afford it this time. I’m sure you’ll offer it again when I can re-audit the class…..actually think about offering an “audit” option for students who have already taken the class, maybe at a reduced rate getting access to the class for a certain amount of time really helps not only to cement principles already covered but gives the student a chance to extend and embody that learning. Just a thought. I know it would be helpful to me because I see how beneficial repetition is in my learning process. I go back over the online classes I’ve purchased from you many times and each time something new “clicks” for me bringing me to a new level of awareness and confidence in making art.
Ian Roberts is a great resource, Julie. I love that you source out so many excellent references that repeat and support the concepts and principles offered in your classes, especially Boot Camp, one of my all time favorite classes with you. And although I’d love to repeat Boot Camp I just can’t afford it this time. I’m sure you’ll offer it again when I can re-audit the class…..actually think about offering an “audit” option for students who have already taken the class, maybe at a reduced rate getting access to the class for a certain amount of time really helps not only to cement principles already covered but gives the student a chance to extend and embody that learning. Just a thought. I know it would be helpful to me because I see how beneficial repetition is in my learning process. I go back over the online classes I’ve purchased from you many times and each time something new “clicks” for me bringing me to a new level of awareness and confidence in making art.
Ian Roberts is a great resource, Julie. I love that you source out so many excellent references that repeat and support the concepts and principles offered in your classes, especially Boot Camp, one of my all time favorite classes with you. And although I’d love to repeat Boot Camp I just can’t afford it this time. I’m sure you’ll offer it again when I can re-audit the class…..actually think about offering an “audit” option for students who have already taken the class, maybe at a reduced rate getting access to the class for a certain amount of time really helps not only to cement principles already covered but gives the student a chance to extend and embody that learning. Just a thought. I know it would be helpful to me because I see how beneficial repetition is in my learning process. I go back over the online classes I’ve purchased from you many times and each time something new “clicks” for me bringing me to a new level of awareness and confidence in making art.
Ian Roberts is a great resource, Julie. I love that you source out so many excellent references that repeat and support the concepts and principles offered in your classes, especially Boot Camp, one of my all time favorite classes with you. And although I’d love to repeat Boot Camp I just can’t afford it this time. I’m sure you’ll offer it again when I can re-audit the class…..actually think about offering an “audit” option for students who have already taken the class, maybe at a reduced rate getting access to the class for a certain amount of time really helps not only to cement principles already covered but gives the student a chance to extend and embody that learning. Just a thought. I know it would be helpful to me because I see how beneficial repetition is in my learning process. I go back over the online classes I’ve purchased from you many times and each time something new “clicks” for me bringing me to a new level of awareness and confidence in making art.
Ian Roberts is a great resource, Julie. I love that you source out so many excellent references that repeat and support the concepts and principles offered in your classes, especially Boot Camp, one of my all time favorite classes with you. And although I’d love to repeat Boot Camp I just can’t afford it this time. I’m sure you’ll offer it again when I can re-audit the class…..actually think about offering an “audit” option for students who have already taken the class, maybe at a reduced rate getting access to the class for a certain amount of time really helps not only to cement principles already covered but gives the student a chance to extend and embody that learning. Just a thought. I know it would be helpful to me because I see how beneficial repetition is in my learning process. I go back over the online classes I’ve purchased from you many times and each time something new “clicks” for me bringing me to a new level of awareness and confidence in making art.
Ian Roberts is a great resource, Julie. I love that you source out so many excellent references that repeat and support the concepts and principles offered in your classes, especially Boot Camp, one of my all time favorite classes with you. And although I’d love to repeat Boot Camp I just can’t afford it this time. I’m sure you’ll offer it again when I can re-audit the class…..actually think about offering an “audit” option for students who have already taken the class, maybe at a reduced rate getting access to the class for a certain amount of time really helps not only to cement principles already covered but gives the student a chance to extend and embody that learning. Just a thought. I know it would be helpful to me because I see how beneficial repetition is in my learning process. I go back over the online classes I’ve purchased from you many times and each time something new “clicks” for me bringing me to a new level of awareness and confidence in making art.
Great Video…keep sharing such stuff
Great Video…keep sharing such stuff
Great Video…keep sharing such stuff
Great Video…keep sharing such stuff
Great Video…keep sharing such stuff
Great Video…keep sharing such stuff
Great Video…keep sharing such stuff
I love renovations !! Thank you for sharing your experience!
I love renovations !! Thank you for sharing your experience!
I love renovations !! Thank you for sharing your experience!
I love renovations !! Thank you for sharing your experience!
I love renovations !! Thank you for sharing your experience!
I love renovations !! Thank you for sharing your experience!
I love renovations !! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Nice one ! Thank you for sharing
Nice one ! Thank you for sharing
Nice one ! Thank you for sharing
Nice one ! Thank you for sharing
Nice one ! Thank you for sharing
Nice one ! Thank you for sharing
Nice one ! Thank you for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Glad you enjoyed it!