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The sixteen guidelines for creating the "The Thomas Kinkade Look" from the DVD.

1) Dodge corners or create darkening towards edge of image for "cozy" look. This may only apply to still imagery, but is useful where applicable.

2) Color key each scene to create mood, and color variation. When possible, utilize cooler tones to suggest somber moods, and warmer, more vibrant tones to suggest festive atmosphere. In general, create a color scheme for each scene that can be accentuated through filtering, DI treatments, or through lighting. Most of my paintings feature an overall cool color envelope, into which warm accents are applied.

3) Create classic compositions. Paintings generally utilize a theme and variation compositional motif. Heavy weighting of the image towards one side, with accented areas of interest balancing it on the other side. Allow the eye to wander into the scene through some entry point. Be aware of where the viewer is standing at all times. Utilize traditional eye levels for setting the shot -- that is, no high vantage points, off-kilter vantage points, or "worms eye view" vantage points. Generally focus on a standing adults viewpoint of the scene at hand.

4) Awareness of edges. Create an overall sense of soft edges, strive for a "Barry Lyndon" look. Star filters used sparingly, but an overall "gauzy" look preferable to hard edge realism.

5) Overall concept of light. Each scene should feature dramatic sources of soft light. Dappled light patches are always a positive, glowing windows, lightposts, and other romantic lighting touches will accentuate the overall effect of the theme of light.

6) Hidden details whenever possible, References to my children (from youngest to oldest as follows): Evie, Winsor, Chandler and Merritt. References to my anniversary date, the number 52, the number 82, and the number 5282

7) Overall sense of stillness.. Whenever possible utilize sunset, sunrise, rainy days, mistiness -- any transitory effect of nature that bespeaks luminous coloration or a sense of softness.

For more of Kinkade's thoughts on painting visit: Http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2008/11/thomas-kincades-16-guidelines-for-making-stuff-suck.html

Pin-up answers:

I like a lot of his work - I enjoy the special effects - the lighting in the cottages and snow scenes and the flowers. I would be happy to have any of those on my wall.

I think he's a very talented painter, but sometimes there's a difference between a talented painter and an artist! Kinkade's work often seems to have no heart, no real emotion; Some have said it is "merely kitsch, without substance."

I do think there is greatness there, but I do not like the "Disney paintings" - Bambi and Pinocchio are just too sweet for my tastes. Nor do his baseball stadium paintings have any attraction to me. Ultimately, history will determine his real worth.

He's been called a 'painter of light' - and he has been able to capture light in a way that is amazing - you try to paint it!

Others artists to check up on: Maxfield Parrish and Albert Bierstadt are artists of the 'luminism' school, which was all about light and illumination -
see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luminism_(American_art_style)

http://maxfieldparrish.info/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Bierstadt

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Your observations are correct - when it comes to art, we all have the right to decide what art has value and what it means - for ourselves. Others will disagree with you...

Kinkade's work is part of the big question: Can great art just be pretty or does it have to have great meaning? Is beauty truth or does it need a little more?

Personally, for example, I hate Picasso's Guernica - to me it is ugly and I do not care about its social meaning. On the other hand, I find many of Kinkade's works are pretty, which is enough for me, even if they do not seem to convey much below the surface - I like some of it and some isn't for me. The debate continues...

I think you are right about where to place the eye in his paintings, especially the later works.

When I paint, I have particular traits - to have that focal point you speak of, my preferred content and I have a back story - at least in my mind, about the subject. Of course, I am not worth millions as Kinkade is...

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This Christianizing of things, is maybe a baby boomer generation thing. Many are too old, now, for far left weirdness, so they are into far right weirdness. Unfortunately, the far right uses the Christian religion as a tool for personal power...

For Kinkade, the Christian aspects in his life are the "back story" for many of his paintings. I don't see it myself, but... I do understand that his "light" maybe symbolic for "love" or "spiritual love" and I am all for that.

I am not for burning any books. Don't like a book - don't buy it, but leave it for someone else to decide on... :+)