Mastering the Flow: Unpacking Jed Dorsey's Approach to Acrylic Painting

There’s a deep satisfaction in the process, isn't there? The scent of fresh acrylic paint, the drag of the brush across the wet canvas, the way the colors blend exactly as you imagine them in your mind’s eye. It’s a quiet, focused magic that nothing can compare to.

If you’ve been tackling a still life, working on a landscape, or even a detailed portrait, you know that simply starting with a brush and a palette isn't enough. True skill comes from understanding the rhythm of the work—the careful, deliberate steps that take a simple idea and turn it into something soulful.

Today, we’re diving into a fantastic demonstration of how to approach a complex scene, modeled after the style of Jed Dorsey. This process isn't magic; it’s methodology. It’s a structured journey that helps you build depth, contrast, and that beautiful sense of naturalism, even when painting elements like trees or distant fields.

The Four Steps to Inspired Painting

The key takeaway from this lesson is that painting is not a single action; it is a sequence of defined stages. Jed organizes his work into four critical phases: Draw, Block In, Refine, and Finish. By understanding the purpose of each step, you can move past just applying paint and start *building* your composition.

Here’s a closer look at what each stage accomplishes:

1. Draw: This initial stage is about establishing the skeletal structure. But notice what Jed does here: he isn't just drawing; he’s often doing an underpainting. This initial wash of color sets the mood and the overall value of the piece, giving the canvas a cohesive ground before the main action even begins.
2. Block In: Once the sketch is complete, the next step is to establish the major color and value shapes. This is where you are making intentional, large strokes. When painting trees, for example, he shows how using the negative shape—painting the sky *around* the tree—can give a much more natural and stylistic look than simply drawing the outline and filling it in.
3. Refine: This is where the magic starts to take shape. You move beyond simple blocks of color and begin thinking about subtle shifts in value and hue. You start working on the details—the way the field rows curve toward the viewer, or the specific tone of a roof.
4. Finish: The final coat is where you bring the entire painting into focus. It's about ensuring that all the elements—the foreground, the middle ground, and the background—feel connected and that the values make sense across the entire piece.

This approach to painting is a powerful lesson in composition and patience. It reminds us that the biggest, most beautiful results often come from the smallest, most methodical steps.

The Power of Negative Space

One of the most fascinating techniques demonstrated is the use of negative space. Most of us are taught to paint the subject first and then paint the background around it. Jed shows us a more advanced method: painting the background (like the sky) and letting the shapes of the foreground subjects (like the trees) emerge from the color already laid down. This technique is incredibly effective because it immediately gives the work a more natural, less constructed, and highly professional feel.

It requires you to look not just at what you want to paint, but also at the empty space that defines your subject. Paying attention to negative space is a massive leap forward for any emerging artist looking to improve their sense of composition.

Getting Back to the Easel

If these techniques—underpainting, blocking, and negative space—have sparked your creative itch, the best thing you can do is put down the phone and grab a brush. Don't aim for a masterpiece; aim for a single, deliberate, focused hour at your easel.

Rogue Artists exists for moments like these. We are here to get you into rooms with other believers, sharing paint, pigments, and plenty of encouragement. Whether you are looking to sharpen your portrait skills, master a watercolor wash, or start a new pottery piece, there is a community waiting for you.

Ready to take your skills from theory to practice? Find an Art Angel near you, book a workshop with a local master, or list your own studio space. The brushes are waiting, and the canvas is ready for the next chapter of your art journey.