How to simplify what you see
 From the time that man made his mark on the wall of his cave, the art
of constructing paintings has been in transition. Over the centuries
that have passed since that initial memorable creation many giants have
come on the scene, each adding a distinctive touch to the application of
paint to a surface.
The one element in painting that has remained constant throughout the
eons, however has been light. The sun remains the sun and the sky
remains the sky. The same light that presented itself to the titans of
landscape painting is there for you to use, free of charge. This is one
component of painting we can't do without. We need light to paint. Water
colour is a perfect medium for catching effects of light. Light is the
life of painting. One of the most attractive qualities about water
colour is the ability to express even the most transient effects of
light, colour and atmosphere found in nature.
Observe the painting I have done here the appeal of this painting
lies in the delicate transition from pale delicate washes to strong dark
colours. Shadows play an important role in conveying an impression of
bright sunlight. Note under the huge shady trees a loaded bullock cart
emerges towards the road.
 The carter is shown from pale wash but the dark green patches appears
the more intense and our eye is automatically drawn to it forms the
focal point of the picture. I have simplified the back ground with a
light wash of blue and yellow to indicate morning shadows while
conveying a convincing sense of light and time of day in the painting.
It was my intent to first express the quality of strong light on a sunny
morning.
Applying colour
Light provides the clues to what is and might be. To achieve the
desired luminous light on the picture colour intensity contrast was
necessary. I did however a little more heavily on value contrast to
create the glow. It should be understood that while a choice of colour
may be your objective, nothing is so sacred that your sacrifice the
desired effect of the painting. Many of the colours achieved in the
painting I have done are the result of not just the pigments used, but
also when and how they're applied. In this case the huge trees began
with dark Prussian blue and deep green as base. While still wet, dry
applications of crome yellow and cobalt blue were applied to the road
and back ground.
Clear Goals
Great paintings are the result of great shapes and great colour
arranged in an honest and expressive way. Designing with light lets you
create beautiful shapes by simplifying complex subjects into patterns.
To improve your painting, throw off old concepts and dedicate yourself
to new goals. Seek to design your paintings with three or four shapes
rather than ten or twelve. Keep your goals clear. Identify your goals
and objectives and keep them in mind when painting.
Painting the light you see
The truth is that everyone who representationally relies on light.
Without light you can't see-not the subject or even the paper on which
you work. There is a large difference between going out to paint what
you see and going out to paint the light you see. Light comes in many
forms. Light has colour and differing intensities, it can be direct or
reflected, it can define local colour, obscure local colour and later
local colour. Becoming acutely aware of specific lighting conditions can
make you a better painter. Before you begin to paint, take time to
observe the colour, intensity and other qualities of the light. Know
that every colour in nature in reflected onto every other colour.
It takes more than copying what you see to create powerful,
eye-catching paintings. The real world can be confusing, disorderly and
full of erratic, constantly changing light and shadow. The secret starts
with simplifying your subject into a few large shaped of light and dark
before concentrating on details. Simple concept, powerful results.
Avoid thinking of yourself as a water colourist. Your objective is
not to become the best technician of the medium of water-colour, but to
be the best painter you can be. One who has worked with water-colour
medium, are aware of its great benefits, permitting you to get the
simple effect, and to set down a quick statement. Water-colour makes it
possible for you to be spontaneous, to pare a subject to its essentials.
Water-colour is a perfect medium for catching effects of light; it's a
medium that's fresh, alive, and responsive to the moment and the
shifting moods of nature. It transforms your imagination to reality.
www.tissahewavitarana.com
|
