From the Artist: I like low-key paintings for their mood, but mine always come out a little too dark.
From the Painting Guide: Low-key paintings can indeed be very moody and atmospheric, and light used to draw the viewer's eye to a particular part of the painting. I don't know that this is too dark. If you look at the paintings of that master of light and dark, Rembrandt, you'll see that he gets seriously dark.
What you could do to stop your painting getting too dark is, before you start painting, to decide on the darkest tone you want to use. Mix up a little of this and put this to one side of your palette (or in a sketchbook or on a piece of paper) and then don't allow yourself to go any darker than this. You can check any tone or color against easily by holding the brush up against it, or dabbing a sample nearby.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Shadows and Highlights: With a realistic still life, it's crucial to get the direction of light (and thus shadows) consistent. Set up your still life so the light doesn't change by setting up a lamp and blocking off any changing light (sunlight) from falling on it.
From the Painting Guide: Low-key paintings can indeed be very moody and atmospheric, and light used to draw the viewer's eye to a particular part of the painting. I don't know that this is too dark. If you look at the paintings of that master of light and dark, Rembrandt, you'll see that he gets seriously dark.
What you could do to stop your painting getting too dark is, before you start painting, to decide on the darkest tone you want to use. Mix up a little of this and put this to one side of your palette (or in a sketchbook or on a piece of paper) and then don't allow yourself to go any darker than this. You can check any tone or color against easily by holding the brush up against it, or dabbing a sample nearby.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Shadows and Highlights: With a realistic still life, it's crucial to get the direction of light (and thus shadows) consistent. Set up your still life so the light doesn't change by setting up a lamp and blocking off any changing light (sunlight) from falling on it.