Bright Summer Light

Bright Summer Light

(revised)

28 x 22"

acrylic on canvas

© Nicki Ault 
sold

This painting was in the Family Tree show last month. I hummed and hawed about putting it in because I had painted it two years ago and, although I liked it, I wasn't as enthused as when I first painted it. I have learned so much about colour since then (and have so much more to learn) that I felt it could be better. You can see the original version below- the bark of the tree used to be much more blue/gray overall. 

 (original version)

The day before we hung the show I decided to throw caution to the wind and try to make it a painting I was excited about once again. I made up glazes of warm colours: Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold, Quinacridone Burnt Orange, Indian Yellow and Magenta and then I lightly built up layers of washes on the tree trunk. As the tree warmed up and became less gray/blue, the sky actually appeared more blue and the distant trees became more green. It was very exciting to see it change. It was a light bulb moment of sorts... the whole effect of complimentary colours working together to enhance each other right before my eyes! When I showed my mom (who always loved the painting) she said, "Oh, you made the trees more green" - she was quite surprised to find out I hadn't touched anything but the bark. I also lightened areas in the dark shadows for more variation, but that change may not show well in the photo.

Learnin', it never gets old!