What roles do these colors play in the image below them?
The color sample labeled "1" is taken from the shadow areas of the white on the horse's legs, but the sample labeled "2" is taken from the sunlit area of the black mane. A dark local color and a light one, but almost the same value as they appear in light and in shadow.
Tip: The portions of a dark colored image receiving direct light are in the same value range as are the shadows on light colors in the same scene.
Our impulse to label can cause us to interpret shadowed white areas too light, especially when located in a color field of dark. Likewise, where light is shining on darkly color areas, that same tendency might cause us to depict them too dark. But look at how light those darks can become when illuminated.
Here are samples of the dark black and brown areas of the horse in direct light...
...and here are the white areas in shadow.
Not only are they all in the same value range, but some of the shadows on the white legs are darker than where light shines on the dark brown of the horse's back.
Being acutely observant of this principle can prevent many sore thumbs in realistic or interpretative painting.
Happy painting,
Dianne
P.S. Join us on the Facebook forum where there are now twenty-two challenges. You can do any challenge at any time. They are there for your enrichment and enjoyment. If you post your results, be sure and do so in the comments portion of the challenge to which you responded so as to keep the responses with their corresponding challenge. I will continue to add challenges from time to time.
