The challenge of this project is to paint something lit only by candlelight. The subject of the painting is up to you; it could be a still life, a portrait, or even a series of candles themselves. Lighting a subject by candle lends itself to a painting with strong darks and warm highlights.
Don't try to light the subject completely as would happen with electric light; rather think about where the light might fall and use it to focus the viewer's attention on a particular aspect of the painting's subject. This kind of painting is typified by the chiaroscuro of Rembrandt and Caravaggio.
If you want a particularly difficult challenge, try painting the candle as see through a glass or a glass vase!
Things to consider:
- The yellow/orange candle light will tend to warm the colors of the subject.
- The candle light will create very specific, directional shadows.
- If you use more than one candle, each will create its own shadows.
- As the candle burns down, the shadows will move -- watch out for this!
- You want enough light to be able to see your paints and canvas, but this light mustn't be so strong it 'contaminates' the subject.
For inspiration, take a look at these paintings:
- Godfried Schalcken: A Candlelight Scene
- Turner: The Garreteer's Petition
- Joseph Wright of Derby: An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump
- Rembrandt: The Adoration of the Shepherds
If you complete this project, why not post a photo of your painting in the Painting Forum for feedback? (Note: Unlike most of the other monthly painting projects, there is not yet a submissions gallery for this project.)
