In this chapter, I invite you to join me in capturing the breathtaking beauty of Pataua, a place that epitomizes the natural splendor of New Zealand. During a summer camping trip, I was struck by the tranquil charm of this spot, where the interplay of light and shadow creates a dynamic yet harmonious scene. The dramatic contrast between the richly organic shapes and the expansive, simple areas of color in the water and sky offers a perfect balance that is both visually stimulating and soothing. This lesson will guide you through the process of painting this captivating scene on a 10 by 8 inch wood panel, prepared with acrylic primer to ensure durability. We'll explore a warm cool primary palette, with a twist—using orange instead of a warm yellow to create intriguing greys with ultramarine blue. As you engage with the video and the Virtual Art Academy course, you'll gain practical insights and structured assignments to deepen your understanding of these principles. Together, we'll uncover the variety and balance that are the hallmarks of great painting, enriching your artistic journey with the vibrant essence of this New Zealand jewel.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
Recognize that halftones are the planes between light and shadow. They often have more vibrant color than the lights because they aren't washed out by direct light.
Mix Halftone Colors
Use a blue-orange mix, leaning towards orange, with a value slightly lighter than the shadow. This will capture the slightly warmer halftones observed in the scene.
Adjust Halftone Darkness
On the left side, make the halftone a little darker to guide the viewer's eye back to the center of the painting, where the strongest contrast is.
Incorporate Subtle Color Changes
Add a touch of green to the halftone in the upper branches where sunlight filters through the leaves, maintaining the same value to reflect the subtle color change.
Paint Reflected Lights
Mix a color slightly lighter and warmer than the shadow color for reflected lights. Apply this to areas where the trunk is close to the beach, ensuring the reflected lights stay within the dark values to maintain the illusion of depth.
Pro tipKeep the value of reflected lights within the darks to maintain the illusion of depth and contrast.
Embark on your painting journey by immersing yourself in the rich resources of the Virtual Art Academy. Begin with foundational principles through structured assignments and video demonstrations, which will guide you in mastering the essential techniques. As you progress, focus on understanding the interplay of light and shadow, and how these elements define the structure and mood of your painting.
As you move from initial sketches to more detailed work, pay attention to the tools and mediums you use. Start with broad strokes to establish your composition, using a no tan sketch to map out the major dark and light shapes. Gradually build up your painting by blocking in darks and lights, ensuring that your value relationships are accurate. This will set a strong foundation for your work.
In the final stages, refine your painting by focusing on the center of interest and adding intricate details. Use geometric simplification to tackle complex forms, and carefully plan your highlights and focal points to enhance depth and texture. Remember to incorporate atmospheric perspective to create a sense of distance and realism. With these techniques, your painting will come to life with vibrancy and balance.
Points to remember
Engage with video and structured assignments for foundational learning.
Use a no tan sketch to establish your painting's design.
Begin with large, simple shapes to form a strong foundation.
Squint at your painting to assess value relationships.
Plan your approach to painting water to avoid muddiness.
Visualize complex objects as basic geometric shapes.
Keep the value of reflected lights within the darks for depth.
Apply the thickest paint at the focal point for texture and emphasis.
