"Light and Shade"

"Light and Shade"

14x18 oil on canvas

2012

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A limited palette of four colors were used in this painting; Sap Green, Winsor Violet, Cadmium Yellow Pale, and Titanium White --- with only one type of brush, flat short bristle brush.  The emphasis in creating this painting was the practice of interpreting shadows.  Shadows contain a certain amount of light in them even though they are not in direct light from the source.  By muting the shade of color in the grass for shadow, I added a small amount of violet.  The darkest areas contain an even amount of green and violet.

The scene painted here is from Krug Park (St. Joseph, MO) at the top of the hill behind the castle.  I explored back there a few weeks ago following old abandoned paths and limestone stairs from the late 1800 to early 1900's.  The path leads up to this grassy opening which then leads to the limestone tunnel, allowing you to cross over it toward the playground.  These paths were interesting to see and follow, and may have at one time been a scenic route.