Not just pieces of colored paper pasted to the wall......
Showing posts with label light. Show all posts
Showing posts with label light. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Winter Solstice
Did you watch the lunar eclipse last night (or rather, earlier this morning)?It is interesting that one of my tall Douglas firs split in the last wind storm and provided me with an opening to the sky to watch the lunar eclipse from the comfort of my studio. Since this lunar eclipse on the solstice will not occur again for another 84 years, I thought this was very fortuitous.
Also, here in Washington we had a very light cloud cover. Another rarity! I was expecting darkness at the point where our full shadow was across the moon, but it was rather light instead. I could not see the orange glow as photographed by people living elsewhere. The clouds seem to pass in front of the moon and I could still make out its image.
Today, December 21st, in the Northern Hemisphere, is the Winter Solstice. I plan to celebrate the return of the "light" with friends eating and creating art.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Everyone Is Talking About It
A new art book was recently released and everyone is talking/blogging about it.
James Gurney, New York Times best-selling author and artist of the Dinotopia series, follows Imaginative Realism with his second art-instruction book,
Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter.
This book is a comprehensive art instruction book about all the important aspects color and light for students of art and those wishing to improve the quality of their painting in any media.
I understand that it is a very accessible art instruction book, and it articulates very clearly how you can make choices about how to use different features of color and light in a painting.
In addition, I hear that the images and graphics are outstanding.
It is time for me to head to my local Barnes and Noble book store and see for myself.
James Gurney, New York Times best-selling author and artist of the Dinotopia series, follows Imaginative Realism with his second art-instruction book,
Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter.
This book is a comprehensive art instruction book about all the important aspects color and light for students of art and those wishing to improve the quality of their painting in any media.
I understand that it is a very accessible art instruction book, and it articulates very clearly how you can make choices about how to use different features of color and light in a painting.
In addition, I hear that the images and graphics are outstanding.
It is time for me to head to my local Barnes and Noble book store and see for myself.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Festival of Light
What an appropriate time to be reminded of the "light" when I have been complaining about how early it is getting dark these days.
Chanukah is the "Festival of Light" in celebration of the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days after the Jews retained control of the Temple in Jerusalem.
I have always enjoyed the ritual of lighting the candles each night. Yet, as I grew older I found even more significance in the symbolism of the word "light" and "miracle".
As an artist, I focus on the effects of light and capturing that in my creations. I have learned that light is essential to my well-being and that I am affected by the amount of daylight or not. Light is an illuminating source and I look for it in those people I encounter.
Miracles abound everywhere. Daily, I remind myself to be appreciative and grateful.
As I walked by the lighted menorah this evening, I was delighted by the still life that miraculously occurred.
Art and light.......
It reminds me to straighten the Matisse!
Chanukah is the "Festival of Light" in celebration of the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days after the Jews retained control of the Temple in Jerusalem.
I have always enjoyed the ritual of lighting the candles each night. Yet, as I grew older I found even more significance in the symbolism of the word "light" and "miracle".
As an artist, I focus on the effects of light and capturing that in my creations. I have learned that light is essential to my well-being and that I am affected by the amount of daylight or not. Light is an illuminating source and I look for it in those people I encounter.
Miracles abound everywhere. Daily, I remind myself to be appreciative and grateful.
As I walked by the lighted menorah this evening, I was delighted by the still life that miraculously occurred.
Art and light.......
It reminds me to straighten the Matisse!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Artist In All of Us
There are sparks of inspiration all around us - all we have to do is look.
Each day brings something new, exciting and inspiring. As artists, we have to train our minds and feel in our hearts to see these things. Lighting, color, emotion, drama - all these things add to the excitement of being an artist.
An artist will create from this place of joy.
Next time when you feel this spark of inspiration, take a paint brush in hand and paint from your heart with happiness.
Remember, DO NOT allow the inner-critic any air time.
Penny Soto
The Rose
Penny definitely captures light, color, emotion, and drama in her painting.
Each day brings something new, exciting and inspiring. As artists, we have to train our minds and feel in our hearts to see these things. Lighting, color, emotion, drama - all these things add to the excitement of being an artist.
An artist will create from this place of joy.
Next time when you feel this spark of inspiration, take a paint brush in hand and paint from your heart with happiness.
Remember, DO NOT allow the inner-critic any air time.
The Rose
Penny definitely captures light, color, emotion, and drama in her painting.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Light and Texture
Today I was reading to my art therapy client from the book Incredible Light and Texture in Watercolor by James Toogood.
The paintings in the book are exquisite. He provides step-by-step demonstrations to teach the basic watercolor techniques depicting light and texture. I was very impressed with how thorough he covered each subject. It is what most people ask for when learning watercolors.
James believes that talent is overrated. "Determination and persistence are more important. If you have a passion for painting, the skills can be acquired."
He feels that painting is a powerful and unique language that reaches out across borders and communicates to virtually anyone, anywhere. I know this for a fact through my involvement in the field of art therapy.
His book is rightfully named as James paints incredible light and texture into his watercolor paintings. Look how he captures the water.........
Coastline
James Toogood
The paintings in the book are exquisite. He provides step-by-step demonstrations to teach the basic watercolor techniques depicting light and texture. I was very impressed with how thorough he covered each subject. It is what most people ask for when learning watercolors.
James believes that talent is overrated. "Determination and persistence are more important. If you have a passion for painting, the skills can be acquired."
He feels that painting is a powerful and unique language that reaches out across borders and communicates to virtually anyone, anywhere. I know this for a fact through my involvement in the field of art therapy.
His book is rightfully named as James paints incredible light and texture into his watercolor paintings. Look how he captures the water.........
James Toogood
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Elements of Light
Light is the most important consideration in creating any picture. Any subject can be exciting or mundane, depending on how you light it. Light is what makes our perception of all things possible.
Value, form, texture, color, depth, and movement are the six basic elements of design. They are the control knobs that allow you to tune the light to suit your perception and taste. When you learn to control all of these elements, you can make the ordinary appear extraordinary. The way an artist manipulates, combines, compares, and contrasts the elements of light makes each artist and each painting unique.
Neon Rain
Paul Jackson
Value, form, texture, color, depth, and movement are the six basic elements of design. They are the control knobs that allow you to tune the light to suit your perception and taste. When you learn to control all of these elements, you can make the ordinary appear extraordinary. The way an artist manipulates, combines, compares, and contrasts the elements of light makes each artist and each painting unique.
Paul Jackson
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Finding the "Right" Light
Light is everywhere; however, finding the best light to illuminate you subject in a painting can be a challenge. If you know when good light is likely to occur, you can be on the lookout for it, but you will not always have the luxury of waiting for the right light.
My favorite light is early morning or late evening; the effects are very dramatic.
If you wander around looking for the perfect subject in the perfect light, with every element in its ideal place, you probably would not do much painting. Very rarely does everything come together at once. Artists are feel to imagine and invent. Reality is just an illusion processed through our perceptions. You can alter reality to achieve a more aesthetic effect.
Artists have no rules!
My favorite light is early morning or late evening; the effects are very dramatic.
If you wander around looking for the perfect subject in the perfect light, with every element in its ideal place, you probably would not do much painting. Very rarely does everything come together at once. Artists are feel to imagine and invent. Reality is just an illusion processed through our perceptions. You can alter reality to achieve a more aesthetic effect.
Artists have no rules!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Light's Moods
Light is often the inspiration that guides me to a new subject.
One of the greatest thrills is coming unexpectedly upon a sudden and dramatic lighting phenomenon, when the light catches an object in a way that tugs at my emotions and stops me in my tracks.
Most often, the way the object is revealed ignites my desire to paint, but light is not always just a comment on the subject. Light itself is mysterious, inseparable from the subject it illuminates. There are occasions when the light becomes the focal point and the objects are there just to complement it.
Here is on of my watercolor paintings where the morning light is coming through the trees illuminating the fall leaves.
Light in the Forest
Joanne Osband
One of the greatest thrills is coming unexpectedly upon a sudden and dramatic lighting phenomenon, when the light catches an object in a way that tugs at my emotions and stops me in my tracks.
Most often, the way the object is revealed ignites my desire to paint, but light is not always just a comment on the subject. Light itself is mysterious, inseparable from the subject it illuminates. There are occasions when the light becomes the focal point and the objects are there just to complement it.
Here is on of my watercolor paintings where the morning light is coming through the trees illuminating the fall leaves.
Joanne Osband
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Light's Characteristics
There is no greater element in any painting than the light that illuminates it.
Light affects every aspect of the painting process and is essential to all of our visual experiences. Light is a kind of energy that makes things happen. It makes things visible and colorful. It has incredible descriptive power, determines, shape, models form, reveals color and defines texture. It is a painter's primary tool for directing the attention of the viewer and for unifying and intensifying the subject matter.
The many complex personalities of light help determine the mood and character of your subject. An awareness of light and its subtle qualities and moods is crucial to those who aspire to make dramatic paintings.
Light is the elusive element that separates the magical from the mediocre.
Sundance
Paul Jackson
Light affects every aspect of the painting process and is essential to all of our visual experiences. Light is a kind of energy that makes things happen. It makes things visible and colorful. It has incredible descriptive power, determines, shape, models form, reveals color and defines texture. It is a painter's primary tool for directing the attention of the viewer and for unifying and intensifying the subject matter.
The many complex personalities of light help determine the mood and character of your subject. An awareness of light and its subtle qualities and moods is crucial to those who aspire to make dramatic paintings.
Light is the elusive element that separates the magical from the mediocre.
Paul Jackson
Monday, March 2, 2009
Light at Sunset on the Water
Twice a week I get to tutor a student whose family lives on the water in Boston Harbor. Needless to say, it is a beautiful setting and both the student and I will get distracted by the changes that occur outside our window. Actually, I have always wondered why his mother chose the dining room for us to work? Mind you, we are doing school homework, but he is an artist at heart.
Together we oooh and aaah at what we see in-between math and reading. Our timing is perfect since we begin at 4:00PM and end at 5:00PM. It has to be the most spectacular time of day for dramatic lighting. One week we watched an incredible wind storm spread across the water with white caps leaping. Another evening the sun decided to come out just about time for it to set (rather typical here in the Pacific Northwest). We watched a gorgeous light show on the water and shared our enjoyment. Tonight it was a FULL rainbow!
How many people take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds them, especially with children? I suppose I could have been a real task master and kept to the homework, but being aware of our natural surroundings in the moment is important, too. It brings us joy and pleasure which is vital to our well-being. And my little friend is also learning an appreciation for nature. What could be a better lesson?
Together we oooh and aaah at what we see in-between math and reading. Our timing is perfect since we begin at 4:00PM and end at 5:00PM. It has to be the most spectacular time of day for dramatic lighting. One week we watched an incredible wind storm spread across the water with white caps leaping. Another evening the sun decided to come out just about time for it to set (rather typical here in the Pacific Northwest). We watched a gorgeous light show on the water and shared our enjoyment. Tonight it was a FULL rainbow!
How many people take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds them, especially with children? I suppose I could have been a real task master and kept to the homework, but being aware of our natural surroundings in the moment is important, too. It brings us joy and pleasure which is vital to our well-being. And my little friend is also learning an appreciation for nature. What could be a better lesson?
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