Between Light and Shadow by Anastasia Ermakova (Между светом и тенью – Russian, Eng sub)

Tone serves as the foundation of painting. While expressive brushstrokes and bold paint application are impactful, a deep comprehension of tone is pivotal for achieving both realism and expressiveness in images.

Without a clear grasp of tone, paintings risk appearing decorative and lacking depth. Mastery of minimal gradations between light and dark, perceiving each color within its tonal context, and feeling these variations, elevates painting to its most expressive form. Many students grapple with understanding tonal relationships, prompting Anastasia to develop a course aimed at resolving this challenge definitively.

In this course:

• Materials and the concept of tone will be explored, delving into its significance and why it surpasses color in importance. Using masterful paintings as examples, we’ll distinguish between tone and color and uncover the pivotal role of tone in painting.
• Engage in exercises testing various pencils and materials on diverse surfaces. Practice graphic techniques including line, silhouette, and spot. Complete exercises with linear sketches of objects like fruit or still life, and experiment with acrylic and markers.
• Dive into the exploration of a single subject employing two techniques, enhancing your understanding and application of different artistic approaches.