Depending on the subject you select to paint, direct sunlight usually produces high contrast effects. These effects are usually controlled by the time of day (angle of the sunlight), and how the observer is positioned relating to the direction of the light. Be sure to consider that If there is a slight haze in the atmosphere, the contrast created by the sunlight would be reduced between subjects that have similar colors and value. However, the effect of direct sunlight is almost all contrast, with very few middle tones.
- Think about this, if you begin a painting at 7:00 A.M., the angle the sunlight changes is 45 degrees by 10:00 A.M. This would require repainting the initially placed cast shadows!
- As the sun lowers in the sky in the late afternoon and evening, atmospheric effects are exaggerated. It passes through a denser atmosphere and accelerates color and value changes.
- In the morning, the changes occur in reverse of that describing the afternoon and evening.
R.D.Burton: “Woman In The Field” (watercolor)
To follow this conversation further, where I get more involved in discussing actual colors to use in the different effects of sunlight, click on the painting to the right>>>>>
Be sure to sign up for the Art Center Information newsletter and enter the drawing to win a free coffee table art book>>>Upper right hand corner of page.
