Home Forums The Learning Center Color Theory and Mixing cast shadow of a candle

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  • #989456
    Patrick1
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        This is more physics & light-related than color theory, but it touches on a topic raised here a while back.

        Someone posted a painting of a lighted candle illuminated by another light source in front of it such that the candle’s shadow was cast on the wall behind. In the painting, even the shape of the flame itself was painted in as part of the cast shadow. So some people were asking: in real life, does a candle flame block light such that it can cast a shadow, or would the flame be invisible in the cast shadow? I tried this setup and easily found the answer. But I’d like to take bets first:) .

        #1157788

        I’ve looked at the effect so it would be cheating for me to answer – I wouldn’t be guessing :)

        Einion

        Do you know if your colour is off in hue, value, chroma... or all three?

        Colour Theory & Mixing forum WetCanvas Glossary Search Tips Advanced Search Acrylics forum Acrylics - Information Kiosk

        #1157790
        Gigalot
        Default

            Candle flame is not transparent. It can absorb light to make a cast shadow. It contain very hot carbon particles which emit light but also this particles absorbs other light.

            #1157789
            Brayzen
            Default

                Part of what I love about being an “artist” – I can twist, defeat and just plain ignore the laws of physics … just call me Merlin … :thumbsup:

                #1157786
                Patrick1
                Default

                    The candle is a few inches in front of a white closet door, and the only light source (other than the flame) is a halogen work light pointed directly at it.

                    And the answer is:music: …

                    There is a barely-visible (refractive/mirage-like?) impression of part of the flame visible at times in the shadow, but other than that, the candle’s shadow looks the same whether it’s lit or not.

                    #1157791
                    amandadun
                    Default

                        Huh, I never knew that. I guess I’m not very observant. ;)

                        Cheers – Amanda

                        #1157787
                        Patrick1
                        Default

                            I didn’t know for sure either until I tried it. Kinda neat…the disappearing flame.

                            #1157792
                            ebaytoad
                            Default

                                cast shadow of the smoke from the flame, as it is when a breeze blows it…sounds good….HI !! I’m old but new here…lol
                                Cindy

                                #1157793
                                Basalt
                                Default

                                    Funny I saw this photo, I was studying for a test on lighting at the same time.
                                    Some facts about light intensity for the nerds out there-

                                    If the candle was 1 foot (12 inches) from the wall, the brightness (or ‘Illuminance’) is said to be 1 foot candle. The light coming from 1 candle is 1 candle power
                                    What’s interesting is what happens when the candle moves away from the wall. The intensity of the light decreases by 1/4 for each doubling of distance, so say the intensity level is 100% at 1 foot away, it is 25% at 2 feet away, and 11% at 3 feet away….
                                    Light intensity = light output at source/(distance x distance)

                                    :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

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