SEEING THE LIGHT

Seeing the light.  Hmm - lots of hidden meanings, and some not so hidden really!

I often visit WetCanvas, the website for artists.  And I look at the work of the artists who contribute, often showing their work in progress for comment and criticism, sometimes just showing finished pieces.

One of the things I have noticed recently is that many of the contributors work from photos - which I discussed in my last post - and they often choose, frankly, quite dull images to work from.

That is, I believe, because they are concentrating more on the subject matter than any other consideration.  A street scene with people;  a landscape with a stream;  a field of hay bales;  fruit on a table.  The people in the street might well be quite interesting; a stream is often visually beautiful, hay bales are fascinating almost-natural sculptures in a rural environment; fruit always appeals.

But how often is the LIGHT taken into account? I have regularly seen flashlight used for portraits. flattening the form with its blandness.   Landscape photos taken at midday, when the sun is at its highest and least interesting.  Still life photographed on a table with no directional light at all.

Yet - using the magic of light to add atmosphere to a scene, no matter what the scene might be, is SUCH a powerful tool.  That is not to say that a dull, overcast day is not beautiful - a clever artist will be able to make use of lack of sunlight - look at this Ken Howard image, he once told me that he just loves overcast days since they give him a chance to use beautiful greys:

and other muted yet rich tones:

BUT

Take a look at this portrait photo.  Such a pretty girl, I am sure her family would be thrilled with a portrait which captures her likeness:

But is this an "inspiring" photo?  Exciting visually?  She has been plonked in front of a pink something - curtain?  blanket?  Oh, I see, it matches the flowers on her t shirt.......

What about this image?

I agree, he is not as pretty..................but how interestingly the side of his head disappears into the dark tone behind;  and although we cannot see what is happening to that side of his face, does it matter, can he still be recognised?  I think so.

You may not know this guy either, but just take a look at the LIGHT in this image by artist Alicia Sotherland:

This picture is fascinating on various levels - the technique, the way the figure melds with the background, and the beautiful cool light on the head.

A couple more from WetCanvas photographers.....What about this image?  Interesting?

You may be very fond of painting eggs, but hasn't this been lit in the most boring fashion? the light is directly overhead, throwing shadows which are not at all interesting.

Now this one is FAR more exciting visually, to my eye:

You may feel it is a bit TOO dark in places...but this photographer also took a slightly lighter image which helps to see what is happening a little better...and at least the darker tones help to "knit" the objects together with their surroundings.

So - I just want to encourage you to think NOT ONLY about your subject, but also about the light on your subject, and whether it adds something special and interesting.  It most certainly can do.....the choice is yours.  The important thing is not to take it for granted, or ignore it all together.  Light is an important part of your subject, almost as important as the "thing" or "things" you have chosen to paint, be it eggs, trees, a lake,  your cat - whatever.

I love to paint the light. particularly sunlight. Having said that, let me say that good light in a picture doesn't have to be sunshine - more subtle light can also work well.  Here you go - I was asked to paint the cupcakes, it was a demo;  it would have been nicer with three of them....but the light made it fun: