Controlling Values and Colour Temperature.

[Plein Eire Administrator]

Painting a bright scene I often fall into the trap of painting bright areas lighter and correspondingly the shadows darker top maximise the range my paints can offer. Yet I'm still dissatisfied with the result. It just doesn't seem luminous enough, especially when the sun is shining at you (contre jour).

Talking to Michael McGuire, who can't resist a bit of contre jour, on Sunday when I saw him working on this painting, achieving sunlight without resorting to dark contrasts:

I said I had been admiring this damp scene posted recently by Michael Richardson, and noted how even the railings and lamp-post are painted in barely a mid-tone, whereas when you focus on such things, it is always tempting to paint them darker:

Had i been attempting this scene, I'm sure I'd have ended up with a painting almost black and white! Today I found this article which helps explain...

http://www.artistdaily.com/blogs/pleinair/archive/2012/03/05/puttin... 

But don't take my word for it....

Michael McGuire and Michael Richardson are among the fantastic line-up of artists giving half-day 'on location' workshops during Art in the Open from 30th July to 7th August 2012.

The workshops are each limited to 12 students and there will be more news posted on Plein Eire shortly.