Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Still Life in Brass

Still Life in Brass, oils, 14 x 18

The challenge of this painting was painting the reflections, which came from everywhere, and changed every time I moved. I had to close the black drape on my studio window to minimize unwanted light and reflection from outside, and place a black screen on the side of the set-up to control the light on the objects. Otherwise, brass is a lot of fun to paint! I loved painting the oranges and grapes.

The composition was designed in the classic style, to move your eye around the painting toward the focal point (the white ball on the candlestick). I was careful to keep the spout of the pot in shadow, so it wouldn't lead your eye out of the painting. The light areas were also carefully controlled, to get progressively brighter as your eye moves toward the focal point.