Painting reference guides

Make the decisions before the first brushstroke.

Practical methods for simplifying values, preparing photographs, and transferring compositions without losing the life of the drawing.

Value study guide

Simplify a photo into painting values

Learn a practical method for reducing a reference photo into clear light, middle, and dark value groups before you paint.

Reference preparation guide

Prepare a photo for painting by choosing a crop, clarifying values, checking composition, and translating digital color into a manageable palette.

Composition grid guide

Learn how to scale and transfer a photo or drawing to canvas with a measured grid while preserving proportion and avoiding accumulated errors.