Today’s Video Clip comes from our online, live, and weekly, Beyond Master Class with Tom Anderson. Tom is using a sponge to add leaves to his trees. Earlier in the painting, he used the sponge to lay many of the red color leaves in the painting. What he shows you today is how to use the sponge to highlight some of the leaves. He also discusses how he determines where the highlights will be.

Some people (not us) believe that when someone uses something other than a paintbrush and hard labor to create a beautiful painting, it is cheating! Really! Some people think that way. We know that there are many ways to create the same effect, using different techniques and tools. We have our favorites but there are still many different ways to go. After our Beyond Class, we’ve added the sponge as one of our new favorite tools.

Key Points to Consider;​

• Tom is painting on a dry canvas.
• He blocked in color for the trees and let them dry.
• Tom purchased a sponge and then cut it to make several sponges of different sizes.
• His goal is to create little random shapes that look like leaves.
• He sees the pattern in the sponge before he adds paint.
• Tom prefers a “natural” sponge rather than a man-made one.
• Once he prepares the sponge he prepares the paint by mixing the color he wants and adding oil to loosen it. He prefers the paint to be “drippy.”
• He saturates the sponge with color.
• Tom applies the paint to the canvas in the same manner as he would apply a rubber stamp. The principle is the same.
• Tom adds light in the shadows, sparingly. It is strategically placed to lead the eye to the focal point.
• The reason we are big fans of the sponge is because of the results. In a much quicker time, without a lot of hard work, leaves are applied to the canvas.
• If Tom had used a brush to add the leaves and highlights, he’d still be painting! Plus, the results wouldn’t be as realistic.
• This process can be a little messy but if you are using Alexander paints, it will be safe.

​Happy Painting!

Laurie and Dawn

PLUS: So whenever you’re ready…here are a few ways we can help you become the artist you’ve always wanted to be.

1:  Let US guide you in our Alexander Master Class 

Quickly learn the Alexander proven way to paint starting from where you are… and we’ll lead you from there. The best thing is our Master Class is a unique series of courses with live feedback taught by Master Artist, Master Teacher, Tom Anderson. It isn’t for people who have already “Mastered” painting techniques… It is for people with the passion and desire to learn everything the Old Masters and Bill Alexander knew one baby step at a time.

Watch this video to see if Master Class is right for you.

2: Join Our Membership 

Quickly become a better artist by having access to hundreds of videos led by Master Artists. You also get self-guided, step-by-step courses. And of course discounts on all our special art supplies.

Watch this video to see inside our membership.

3: Let us help you decide your next step on your art journey

Not sure how to move forward on your path to become a great artist?  Just hit reply to this message and put “Art Journey” in the subject line… tell me a little bit about your painting experience (even if you have none) and we will set up a private meeting to see if Alexander Art is a good fit for you.