Capturing the light of evening
One of the many challenges facing an artist who paints outdoors is capturing the fleeting moments of light. This is especially true during that beautiful few hours of the evening, when the sun casts purple and violet shadows on the ground, and the leaves of the trees take on a golden hue.
I have lately completed a painting on site during these hours, returning day after day and spending a few hours before the light changed on me. My palette changed as I added violet pigments I rarely use, but which seemed suitable for the subject in front of me.
Not an easy task by any means, but well worth it. Nature helps us see things when we make an effort to look. I became very familiar with the building I was adding in my painting, which looked like it belonged more in Italy than New Jersey at times. The round arches and columns reminded me of all the times in Art History when I would remind my students of what names are given to architectural elements, Ionic columns, for example.
It's interesting that sometimes when I finish a painting, even though I'm happy with it, I miss the process of painting it. Well, a new subject awaits soon!
One of the many challenges facing an artist who paints outdoors is capturing the fleeting moments of light. This is especially true during that beautiful few hours of the evening, when the sun casts purple and violet shadows on the ground, and the leaves of the trees take on a golden hue.
I have lately completed a painting on site during these hours, returning day after day and spending a few hours before the light changed on me. My palette changed as I added violet pigments I rarely use, but which seemed suitable for the subject in front of me.
Not an easy task by any means, but well worth it. Nature helps us see things when we make an effort to look. I became very familiar with the building I was adding in my painting, which looked like it belonged more in Italy than New Jersey at times. The round arches and columns reminded me of all the times in Art History when I would remind my students of what names are given to architectural elements, Ionic columns, for example.
It's interesting that sometimes when I finish a painting, even though I'm happy with it, I miss the process of painting it. Well, a new subject awaits soon!
