Thursday, February 19, 2009

oil study #45

I spent too much time on this one. I made it worse by correcting things. I should have left it alone earlier.

I changed my mind a few times for the shadow color on the tea pot, but I like it this way.

I went so light for the light part that I couldn't go much lighter for the highlights.


4 comments:

Bob Barker said...

Hi Johanne,
Yesterday, your use of the term "values" confused me. I am not used to the "art" meaning of the word. I'm a little more sure today - we'll see.
I think you got both the value (relative darkness or lightness of the colour?) and the colour of the shadow on the teapot just right. I can see that the highlights would be a real problem in a white teapot. But, if the light were incandescent, could you not use a small amount of yellow in the highlight? Or if the ambient were daylight, or flash, might not a hint of blue do the trick. I must set up a white porcelain still-life this morning just to see what happens to the catchlights with different light sources. A most interesting problem. Thanks, Johanne.

JohanneMorinFineArt said...

Hi Bob,
I've learned that the highlights should be the lightest light in a painting and they should have a tint of color in them. In fact, any white surface should be painted with different color tints in it.

I had already used a light yellow on the light side of pot which left no room for a colored highlight... I painted myself into a corner ;-)

But I love that all of this is inspiring you to do your own experiments. Keep sending pictures and updating us on the results.

JohanneMorinFineArt said...

Hi,
an artist friend of mine, Jo Castillo (http://jocastilloartblog.blogspot.com/) has sent me an e-mail (she was unable to make a comment at the time) that I'd like to share with you.

You are doing great with your oils. Interesting observations comparing with photography, we can all learn something new. :)

Sometimes in highlights you can add a little of the complement. If red apples a little green in the white highlight and vice versa. Your eye doesn't blend complements so the highlights look brighter. Your white on the teapot looks yellowish on my monitor so if the white highlight had a touch of the lavender you have in the shadows, it should look lighter. It is supposed to work, anyway. :)

Hugs,
Jo

Jo Castillo said...

Hi Johanne,
This seems to work. Thanks.