“Most people like sunny, cloudless days, but artists and photographers often prefer the soft illumination of a cloud-covered sky.”~James Gurney
Artist, Lynn Burton, elected to paint Blue Mountain Cottage in overcast light (left). This gave him the benefit of the soft illumination of a cloud covered sky, not having the problems that stark shadows can cause.
Shadows can be direct or mysterious, subtle, or stark, but if they are not portrayed correctly, they can be very disappointing. Since there is no accuracy or dimension without shadows, it’s necessary to take a great deal of study and understanding for an artist to get shadows depicted correctly. Regrettably, the least experienced viewer can detect when the shadow is painted wrong. However, painting shadows accurately is sometimes the most frustrating exercise for an artist.
The study of light and shadows and how they interact with each other is a lifetime experience for many realist artists. Light defines shadows. Without shadows, light becomes an irritating brightness. Get your shadows depicted accurately, and you can turn lemons into lemonade.
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