Half Tone Brilliancy: Keep Lights and Shadows Clear and Transparent

Half tone brilliancy is easy when you follow this method of painting.

The color or half tone being painted first over the entire canvas will spoil the clearness and transparency of your shadow.

It will interfere with the brilliancy of color in the lights.

But, it is not necessary to paint half tones over the shadows. When you’re working in color the half tones or middle tones of lights can be made. And, a middle tone of shadows can be made.

In working with the half tones of either light or shadow, paint the two separately, studying the edges where they come together.

After this step is accomplished, the variety of tones in the lights and the shadows can be added. Using this method, the difference in the quality of color between lights and shadows is preserved.

Notice the strong contrasts between lights and shadows. The shadows are usually warm if the lights are cool and vice versa. Such contrasts affect the vitality of coloring and when used properly, will take your paintings to the next level.

Generally speaking, when scumbling to get effects you want, use as little paint as possible.

Thinner paint is easier to refine and manipulate.

To see how I use this information please go to http://ellenebreedlovedavis.com. I invite you to contact me. I welcome your questions or comments. You will have a reply with in 24 hours or less.

I’d like to point out that the e-book “Canvas Painting 101? will only be available until midnight August 13, 2009. This book has valuable information, whether you are painting in oils, acrylics, watercolors or pastels. So, order now, while it is still free and available. Just write your name and e-mail in the block provided at the top right of this post.

Honor Your Creative Spirit!

Ellene

ElleneBreedlove Davis

http://ellenebreedlovedavis.com