Painting Rocks-Value Contrast

Painting rocks would be similar to painting geometric cubes. The tops of the rocks would be facing the sky. Similar to the ground, the top would be darker than the sky (value). One side of the rocks could be the local colour in sunlight and the other side might be the form shadow. I didn’t like the sharp contrast between the light value top and the side with the darker form shadow. Therefore, I made the edge of the rock between the side’s form shadow and the top, a value closer to the side’s form shadow but not as dark. The contrast between the light value top and the side with the form shadow was reduced. I was then able to lighten the rock’s top but kept this away from the edge.

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Painting Flowers in Water

You have likely seen the change when an object such as a flower’s stem enters water. The part of the stem in water shifts slightly and is no longer directly aligned with the part not in water. Stems of flowers also appear lighter (value) and brighter (intensity, saturation) when seen through water.

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Study Art and Paintings of Other Artists

I have mentioned that I frequently go to the Art Gallery of Ontario to study the work of other artists and also to sketch. When I study a painting, I ask myself what attracted me to it. I find the focal point and consider the direction and type of light. Is the light coming from the left; is it warm? Cast shadows answer a number of questions including the time of day. What colours did the artist use? What structure did the artist use? What type of brushstrokes did they use? There are so many questions to ask; step into the shoes of the artist and learn.

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