Light Around the Bend, 2009
oil on canvas, 20" x 16"
I began this painting by working ground into figure, painting the light rather than the shadows. It is a method I use a lot, and seems Natural to me. It's like being an additive or subtractive sculptor. You can either build or carve. And when I work with palette knives I feel even closer to carving in method.
More sketching followed. I am feeling out the light and composition at this point, concentrating on the deepest areas first. The light upstream will bring out the foreground so it needs to be solved first.
I started working out the far side of the creek, trying out the distance by sketching in the rocks on the other side. I also realized that the foreground was too bright and made the distant light less dramatic. I needed a footing for the viewer but not a highlight.
Next I worked on the woods and treetops. Everything that was to be behind the rocks and small tree that I planned in the middle. I brought some of the center areas up as well, creating some undergowth and defining the lower rock.
Now for the small center tree. I also framed the woods behind the scene by filling in the corner areas. This helps to bring the focus onto the distant light .
I finished by working on the lower half, the closest space and footing for the viewer. I defined the light in this darker are and also worked on the other side of the stream.
