Flowers in strong light
Flowers might have been depicted by artists for centuries, but a new way to look at them is to consider the variety of effects possible, depending on the light chosen for your set-up. Consider the:
• Temperature of the light (warm or cool)
• Intensity of the light source (distant or ambient light versus strong directional light)
• Placement of the light source (from above, below, sideways, frontal or from behind in contre-jour).
All three of these factors will result in different results and completely different paintings.
When I set up flowers to paint, I like to consider them for their abstract qualities, and use the light to sculpt the shapes into interesting blocks of colours. I often make sure that a decent part of the subject is in the shade, to enhance the areas in the light. I also aim for some of the light to go through the vase, as it brings great colour and drama to the painting. In the following demo,
