The three keys to a successful painting go like this: Design and Drawing, Value, and Color. They have to be in this order. Once that order is flipped or changed, and one comes before the other, your painting will most likely suffer.

“Drawing is something you can always improve on, there is no such thing as drawing too much.”

This is why I say all these things are important, but there is an order they need to be in. As long as you have the design down first, then it does not matter if you are a colorist or a totalist. There is a higher chance your painting will succeed if you follow these three steps and keep them in order.

You have to practice in each category. Drawing is something you can always improve on, there is no such thing as drawing too much. Some people say certain artists have a better knack for design, but I believe this is something that can be worked on too. If you are struggling in one category, or all three, then you just need to work harder at each. There is no secret to this, just to practice, practice practice! Design first, value second, and color third. 

Learn more on successful painting through my video download series, free webinar, and the concept to canvas podcast: