Direct Sunlight
The sun, blue sky, and reflected light from illuminated objects. There is sunlight and sky light which is more diffused. On sunny days shadows are darker and bluer. Planes facing upward collect blue while planes facing downward tend to soak up warmth.
Overcast Light
An artist would rather paint on an overcast day because it allows colors to be what they truly are, "without dramatic contrasts of light and shade." (page 31) This lighting creates simple big shapes. Note: colors are brighter. The beauty for painters, is that the light is the same for up to 5 hours without a huge change. Overcast light comes equally and evenly form above.
Window Light
This can be a consistent light for artists. Usually a room has a warm light while a window lets cool light bounce in. Light can bounce onto the ground in the room and onto the ceiling of the room.
Candlelight and Firelight
Candlelight and Firelight radiate an orange beam/circle and illuminate objects close in perimeter. It blocks out detail behind. Because it is such a small source of light, it's ability to illuminate subjects drops dramatically compared to other light. This effect is from the fall-off. The light diminishes more quickly the farther you get from the light.
Indoor Electric Light
Brightness- Brightness depends on the wattage of a bulb.
Hardness of Softness- Sunlight or spotlights are relatively hard sources of light. It gives off crisper shadows and brings out texture and highlights. Soft light is better because it is more calm and reduces confusion with cast shadows.
Color Cast- this is the wavelength of color measured in degrees Kelvin. Red and orange wavelengths appear under incandescent light. Blue and green wavelengths appear under fluorescent lights.
Streetlights and Night Conditions
Noted under the Candlelight section we were informed that nights are actually a lot lighter than we make them out to be. Pictures especially tend to enhance dark scenes. That is why paintings more easily capture the real picture because it is the naked eye capturing the night.
There are some neat practices Gurney mentions can be effective in capturing and understanding the different night lights. (page 39)
Luminescence
Bioluminescence- Organisms that produce light and live in the ocean: fish, jeallyfish, squid, etc. Also organisms on land like fireflies, mushrooms, and centipedes.
Fluorescence- this is the light, "that is produced by an object that converts invisible electromagnetic energy, such as ultraviolet radiation, into a visible wavelength." (page 40)
Tips:
- Luminescent color gradate from one color to the next beautifully.
- "Blue-green colors are most common in the ocean because those wavelengths travel the farthest through water. " (page 40)
- Paint scenes first without luminescence and then add it in.
Hidden Light Sources
Gurney says there are 3 ways we can light a picture: from a source shining from outside the picture frame, from a light seen inside the picture, or from a hidden light within the picture. (page 42) There can be warm and cool light. The hidden light sources add to the mystery of the piece of art.
