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The Painting Mistake That Instantly Looks Amateur

Art Studio Life

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In this video, I'll show you why simply making your edges softer isn't enough, what edge hierarchy really means, and how the greatest painters use lost and found edges to guide the viewer's eye through a painting.

We'll also look at how changing the way you see your subject—from thinking in terms of objects to thinking in terms of light, shadow, and shape—can completely transform your paintings.

In this video you'll learn:
• Why edge hierarchy is more important than simply creating soft edges
• The mistake that makes many paintings look amateur
• Why master painters intentionally lose information
• How to think about edges the way the old masters did
• Practical ways to create stronger, more convincing edges in your own work

If you've ever wondered why master paintings have such a powerful presence, I hope this video helps you begin to see them—and your own paintings—in a completely new way.

If you enjoy videos on painting, color, values, composition, and learning from the old masters, I'd love to have you subscribe for more.

20 Comments

@kimyarmuch120 3 months ago

You explain this in a really clear way; thank you! "Which edges matter?" is gold. <3

@tapissaryworld8521 2 months ago

It was a relief to hear you include Edge Hierarchy (a new term for me), instead of the usual single focus on Value as having a bigger role than color. This past year, it has become increasingly clear to me that Edges and Value are so deeply interwoven that you cannot really exclude one of them for a successfully realistic image. They seem to simultaneously belong to each other in the same way that inhaling and exhaling make a breath. The demo you painted made your point so clear. Really enjoyed this.

@bryancoombesart 3 months ago

Once a painter learns "how to paint" edge hieracrchy becomes the next level up. It's where judgment, skill, and taste meet and your paintings are never the same again. But you have to know how to paint well first. Great video!

@Jynksz 3 months ago

I always enjoy your calm, measured approach to your subject, and especially the lack of mood music. Nicely done, glad I found your channel!

@nobody2021 2 months ago (edited)

"if you can imagine a piece of music played at the same volume"
That actually happened. It was something called the loudness war where publishers were releasing remasters of old works that were normalized to be as loud as possible with less dynamic range because they thought that people thought that louder music sounded better in headphones. This started with the Advent of MP3s

@costumeink147 2 months ago

thank you for helping me articulate why overly detailed does not automatically mean good where paintings are concerned. I think people forgot what phrases and terms like "life-like" or "it looks so real" referred to and think it means the higher the quantity of detail we can get into a painting, the better it will be.

@tjyb1502 2 months ago

In dance, in writing, in drawing, in so many art forms... My lesson continues to be, don't be so literal.
Thank you for confirming this yet again!

@EvilSnips 2 months ago

This is super interesting. However, I've personally noticed in amateurs there's mostly an over-blending problem rather than an overly sharp/hard edges problem. I worked at a local art studio and often called myself 'the blending police' when working with the kids who would overly smear their edges. I think the hard-edges reliance comes with a bit more confidence, but a mix of the two is definitely the ultimate goal. Impasto technique tends to naturally have more sharp edges, but is definitely a masters' style.

@migueljimenez3274 3 months ago

I just recently started noticing the importance of edge control and it's a game changer. Thank you for your insight!!!

@enjee5408 3 months ago

See this is the type of old school instruction that's sorely missing today. My high shool art teacher taught this to us over 40 years ago. In that respect you remind me of him only you're prettier 😂. He was the most impactful art teacher I ever had and I've had some good ones. I so appreciate you for carrying on this type of instruction.

@mariablackbourne4534 2 months ago

Wow I’ve never realized that all my edges were sharp or soft, that explained a lot about why my pieces have felt off. Thank you thank you!

@nowiknowhy 2 months ago

Yes, I've learned that the "Illusion" of something can be more dramatic that painting every detail.

@KT-kg4nj 3 months ago

This is the best explanation of edges I have ever heard! Thank you! Your talent for explaining “painting” is one of the best in the world of teaching.

@jttigera2 3 months ago

You're truly an excellent teacher -- some of the best explanations I've seen. So clear!

@nil3413 2 months ago

You have unlocked something in my mind that I was missing. I couldn't figure out how to take my paintings to the next level. They were all very hard-edged, like cut out shapes bouncing off each other. You just taught me something I never learned in over 8 years of art instruction.

@billbenson5631 2 months ago

I was trained in an atelier type school, and just personally interested in fine art for many years, so not much of what you say is new to me. But the joy and enthusiasm you project are infectious and make the content more enjoyable and worth coming back for.

@xyoungblood 3 months ago

Subscribed. I've been a painter for 35 years. From amateur to hyper-realistic still lifes. You did a nice job explaining this concept. For me, I realized the more realistic my painting became, the more kudos I received from viewers; it fed my ego. But actually painting in that style was an unfun, tedious chore. I would rather paint goofy, stylistic portraits and paintings, and enjoy doing the work instead of dragging myself in front of a canvas to satisfy my ego. Picasso said, "It took me 4 years to paint like Rafael, but a lifetime to paint like a child." I understand that quote now. Painting realism isn't talent; it's practicing a rigid set of rules to get a very specific effect. I now think it's better to follow your own creative impulses and let those mature into your own style, and not chase someone else's style even if they were a "master." (There's no such thing as a master. Master implies there isn't anything else to learn.)

@cynthiabsaibes3381 2 months ago

Well, I listened to this as I was getting ready to enter an art show. This made me turn around and study my paintings. I will rework some to experiment with edge control.

@karenneill9109 2 months ago

I’m learning to paint, and have had no formal instruction. This is so helpful!

@buterfly7x7 2 months ago

You consistently cover topics that I just don’t run across any where else - and certainly not in the way you demontratethem - everything I’ve watched so far was memorable, and immediately useful, thank you!!