Sunrise Over Schuyler Island
Even
on the darkest days of winter, the sun rises to welcome us and remind us
that life is born anew each day. Although we don’t always see sunrise,
we are aware of the presence of light. Light is powerful in so many
ways! It brings us health, stimulating our bodies’ glands, allows us
to grow food to survive; but it also reveals the world to us. This
quality of light is what painting is all about! It gives form to
everything, with changing values and colors unveiled. Look carefully at
each subject you choose to paint. Squint or use a tool for viewing
values, such as the Values Check (see the listing under Links) to help
you observe the patterns formed by the changing light. You’ll find
that shapes appear to blend together, forming larger shapes. All edges
will not be totally or equally defined. Some edges will soften as they
turn away from the light, while others appear very defined near the
light. Consider this as you paint.
Value
As
you design a painting, look carefully at the subject. Notice where there
are light and dark areas, as well as those between. Many shapes may
merge together within a value area. See and use the different value
patterns to give your painting form and strength.
Try
making a value sketch
The
dark background behind the light, hard-edged flowers on the right make
them stand out. They grab our attention! The flowers from the middle to
the left of that area are a middle value, like that of the background
behind them. The edges are softer here and the area appears more restful
and less attention grabbing.
Before
starting to paint, try making a quick simple value study to help you
work out the value pattern of the painting. You can use pencil or paint
in black or just one color. If you’re working from a photo, you can
even use the computer as I’ve done here. Taking the time to work out
the placement of values will be worth it. Give it a try
