Monday 15 May 2017

Gurney Book Club: Week 5

Studies from this week's Gurney Book Club (Week 5):

Non-Lambertian Surfaces: the Form Principle we've been studying only really applies well to matte/Lambertian surfaces, we still haven't addressed semi-transparent or translucent surfaces. Starting with matte/opaque surfaces and transitioning to semi-opaque is a structure Sam Nielson follows in his course too.


Leaf study: seems to really depend on how opaque the leaves are to determine how much light penetrates. Gurney talks about "The Green Problem" and how green has been seen as a problem colour by painters but I honestly don't see it! I'm wondering if it's mostly a traditional painting problem. He does recommend weaving pinks and reds in to brighten the greens, which I still want to try.


Cloud study: quite a bit of light goes through to the shadow side (different than bounce light). I ended up using a lot of hair and smoke brushes for this, and a few variations on the blur/blend tools. It seems like the key is putting down lots of soft gradients and then pulling hard edges/contrast just at the edges of some choice forms, so you don't end up with one single blob.


Google Earth digital plein air: trying to paint clouds with a bit more movement! I'm happy with the water here the most, still need to work a lot (!!) more at landscapes.



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