Blondheim Art Original Paintings

Red Trees North Carolina

12x16 inches
mixed media on panel
gold or copper frame
800.00

Purchase HERE



Painters Tip


Contrast

In addition to values we must consider contrast. Artlex gives this definition of Contrast:

contrast - A large difference between two things; for example, hot and cold, green and red, light and shadow. Closely related to emphasis, a principle of design, this term refers to a way of juxtaposing elements of art to stress the differences between them. Thus, a painting might have bright color which contrast with dark colors, or angular shapes which contrast with curvaceous shapes. Used in this way, contrast can excite, emphasize and direct attention to points of interest.

Contrast give your painting zip and pop!!! Granted, there are painters who don't care for contrast in their work but for those of us who do, we need to consider how important it can be.

I am convinced that painters actually see differently. People always tell me that I am a colorist and that I push color and contrast, but I don't always do it deliberately. In truth, that is really the way I see the world. Paintings just look bland to me without good contrast. One of my artist friends sees the world in muted tones of blue, gray, purple and green. It took me a long time to understand this phenomenon. That is why we all have different collectors.

Here is a little exercise in contrast that I do with my workshop students:




Painting One- Has a normal evenly distributed contrast.

Painting Two- Has a high key contrast, lots of bright light against small areas of very dark values

Painting Three- Has very strong darks against small areas of very bright light.

Just like in the value exercises, we are manipulating contrast for dramatic effects.