The purpose of this blog is to record all that I learn as I study James Gurney's Guide for the Realist Painter entitled Color and Light. This will be a tool I can refer back to when I need tips on my artwork. This is going to help me recall all that I am learning this semester. I will also post pictures to show examples of things I am reading and learning about.
Today I am reading chapter 1. He begins by talking about how curious he was in college of color and how light effected color. I too feel the same way. I could stare at the mountains or a simple hand for hours trying to see all the different colors that create it under it's certain light(s). The world is a masterpiece and I believe James Gurney is going to help me understand how to replicate it into my art. The following is a list of things Gurney learned from the Old Masters of art and scientist of centuries ago:
-the eye is an extension of the brain not a camera
-understanding the Chemistry of colors gave way to new discovery
-colors exist together, there is no such thing as an independent color
-new colors helped artists reach what they were trying to accomplish
-when painting, the first thing to look for is, "the general impression of color..."
-different lighting effects the colors, hues, and shadows
-painting outside helped artists capture true lighting and color
-color became used to portray emotion and feeling
-impressionism influenced broken color
-limited palettes helped artists become resourceful colorists
-light can help sculpts figures/objects
-color is used to catch attention
One of my favorite quotes from this reading came from the artist Mucha. He said, "the person who can communicate his emotions to the soul of the other is the artist." And I believe that is now our quest to discover how to make that possible by establishing a greater understanding of color and light.
