The Three Edge Rule 🎨 (Patreon)

This was such an eye-opener for me after watching this oil painting video !

Even after years of painting, I realized I don't consciously think about edges very often. I know when a painting feels too detailed or when something just seems a little off, but I never really stopped to think about why. Watching this explained it in a way that finally clicked for me, and I couldn't wait to share it with you.

It's funny because we often think of watercolor—or even drawing—as being all about the details. But one thing you'll hear me say often is, let your eye fill in some of the details. That's where a lot of the magic happens. Our brains naturally connect the dots, so we don't have to paint every single edge or tiny detail to create a believable painting.

One of the biggest mistakes I see beginners make is giving every edge the same amount of attention. When every edge is hard and perfectly defined, nothing really stands out. Today, we're going to paint a simple cup while exploring hard, soft, and lost edges, and you'll see how using a variety of edges can create a painting that feels more natural, interesting, and full of depth.

Instead, try using The Three Edge Rule:

🖌️ Sharp Edges – Use these where you want your viewer to look first. Save your crispest details for your focal point.

💧 Soft Edges – These create gentle transitions and help objects feel rounded, atmospheric, and more natural.

🌿 Lost Edges – Let some edges disappear completely. Your viewer's brain will fill in the missing information, making your painting feel more realistic and less overworked.

The secret isn't making every edge soft—it's using a variety of edges to guide the viewer through your painting.

Next time you paint, ask yourself:"Where do I want people to look first?"

That answer should tell you where your sharpest edges belong.

✨ Sometimes painting less creates so much more. I'll have the printable sketch below for you. Try this one a few times!

🎨Kellie

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