Red Yellow Green is a simple still life in which I wanted
to deal with some basic forms and push the
chiaroscuro effect inside my shadow
box set up. Painting from direct observation is the best way to develop a
sensitivity to color and light. I have to say I struggled with this piece, especially the "shadow family" whose planes angle away from the light source or in cast shadow where no light falls. Finding the dark family values and right contrasts seemed particularly difficult while still keeping a
realistic sense of modeling. My perception of color tended to change the more I looked into the veiled
arrangement of light and dark elements. Our preconceptions/presumptions of
color can be hard to overcome at times.
Red Yellow Green - 8 x 10 inches - oil on panel © Jim Serrett
Experience has two things to teach; the first is that we
must correct a great deal; the second that we must not correct too much.
Explore - Question - Learn - Enjoy, Jim
