How to paint along with the videos
This video shows Anna's advice on the best way to set up your space and use the tutorials.
But there's more than one way to do anything, and it's all about finding what works best for you. Different members choose to use the tutorials differently, and you might find the way you use them changes over time. It's all good!
If you're new, we recommend:
- Play - pause - paint - repeat.
The Step-by-Step tutorials are split into shorter video parts, and Quick Reference tutorials can be as short as 1 video. Watch each video part in order and pause the video when Anna reaches the end of the step she's showing you. Then either watch that bit of the class again and paint with Anna, or keep the video paused and work from memory of what you've just watched.
- Have the reference photo near you on a second screen if possible (iPad is ideal).
You'll get a much better look at the reference photo on a screen than on a printed copy. This will ensure the colours are reproduced well and you have the advantage of being able to ‘zoom in’ on the photo to see more detail (especially important when working at a larger size).
- Try to paint from the supplied reference photo (or look at it often).
Once you’ve watched a section, have a go at that stage yourself, playing the video again if you need to.
When working on realistic paintings or drawings, aim to paint what you see in the reference photo, rather than copying the marks as Anna makes them in the video.
By observing the reference photo for yourself you start to really tune your artistic eye and see the colours, shapes, tones and details you need to see in order to paint what you see.
Sound hard? Relax - this gets easier with practice and will eventually become second nature, so don't worry if you're not doing this yet. But it's a great goal to set yourself.
In time, you might find you use the classes differently.
For example, some members like to challenge themselves by just watching the first parts of a tutorial and finishing it independently, or watching it all the way through once, making notes and trying it on their own, checking back only if they get stuck.
Some like to use artistic license to add or change elements of the composition, or use the steps but with an entirely different reference photo they've sourced themselves.
All approaches are welcomed and supported. If you do try something different, we love hearing about it in your comment when you share your painting with the community!
Video watching tips:
- To enlarge the videos, use the arrows button in the bottom right of the videos.
- To switch on subtitles, use the ‘CC’ button in the bottom right of the videos
- To slow down, or speed up, the videos, use the speed controls also found in the bottom right of the videos.