"Your cyber source for artist news and education!"
© 1998, 1999, WetCanvas!

[ Home: : Painting with John Hagan: Aerial Perspective 3 ]


A REVERSE SUNSET, NIGHT and CLOUDS

The sky of the reverse sunset or sunrise approximates the midday sky, but with less veils of atmosphere. The predominant light from the setting sun often gives the blue (cerulean) a slightly warmer yellowish feel on the horizon. The red-yellow light rays come from behind the viewer and strike clouds and solid objects bathing them in a warm orange glow that contrasts nicely against the cooler blue. The effect can be strikingly subtle.
In this example the polished floor reflects the blue of the distant sky as well as the highlights and darks of the foreground figures (thus establishing the polish). The sun also casts more shadows forward (the girls dress) that overlays the polish. This scene is completely imaginary but is nonetheless constructed using logic and first principles. It was made without stepping outside my imagination. The full painting is displayed by pressing (here)
use you browser 'back' button to return

NIGHT

Without moonlight or clouds the night sky is theoretically black but a hint of star light gives us a blue violet feel. The moon behaves exactly as a small sun with the earths atmosphere giving the moon at moon rise its distinctive yellow glow. As it ascends the moon becomes piercingly white. As with the sun it seems best to show its effect by way of clouds and reflections rather than a direct representation. The full version can be viewed in the institute's fine art gallery 1 use your back button to return here.

CLOUDS

Clouds, mists

and other

shadowy veils

For Cities in the sky ...

[ Lesson Index ] [ Previous Lesson ] [ Next Lesson ]