From the Artist: This painting was inspired by the play of light in the citrus orchard in
Sahuaro Ranch in Arizona.
From the Painting Guide: What fabulous light, and colors in the shadows; I can see why you were inspired to paint!
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Color of Shadows: Look at the colors used to paint the shadows, how the touch of blue and green echoes the sky and leaves, while at the same time adding a sense of coolness. I believe in never reaching straight for black paint for a shadow; there's usually far more color to be seen in shadow than plain black (see Techniques of the Impressionists: What Colors are Shadows?). Or if you must, use a chromatic black so it's not an area of flat, solid color.
Composition: Study how the arrangement of trees and their shadows pulls your eye into the painting. How there's very little in the foreground in terms of "object" or "subject", but how the way the shadows are painted holds your interest and pulls you in. It's a great example of how "less is more" in a painting.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Composition: It's a mistake to believe that composition doesn't apply to abstract or abstracted paintings. It may be less obvious than in a realistic painting, but it's still part of what makes a strong painting.
Look at how the rows of tree trunks form a series of bands in the painting, and how the trunk right at the front breaks up the pattern, and is echoed by another, not quite so obvious, on the right-hand side. Also notice how the strong green in the top left corner is echoed elsewhere in the painting.
From the Painting Guide: What fabulous light, and colors in the shadows; I can see why you were inspired to paint!
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Color of Shadows: Look at the colors used to paint the shadows, how the touch of blue and green echoes the sky and leaves, while at the same time adding a sense of coolness. I believe in never reaching straight for black paint for a shadow; there's usually far more color to be seen in shadow than plain black (see Techniques of the Impressionists: What Colors are Shadows?). Or if you must, use a chromatic black so it's not an area of flat, solid color.
Composition: Study how the arrangement of trees and their shadows pulls your eye into the painting. How there's very little in the foreground in terms of "object" or "subject", but how the way the shadows are painted holds your interest and pulls you in. It's a great example of how "less is more" in a painting.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Composition: It's a mistake to believe that composition doesn't apply to abstract or abstracted paintings. It may be less obvious than in a realistic painting, but it's still part of what makes a strong painting.
Look at how the rows of tree trunks form a series of bands in the painting, and how the trunk right at the front breaks up the pattern, and is echoed by another, not quite so obvious, on the right-hand side. Also notice how the strong green in the top left corner is echoed elsewhere in the painting.