Light in the Landscape, and Winter Morning, painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Winter Morning, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on Canvas, 18"x24"

My landscape class has started, and this month it's all about light in the landscape.   It's a sad state of affairs to have to teach a landscape class indoors, but time and other considerations mean that's the case.  We'll make do with mini-field trips outside to observe. 

Here's one of the basics from my class. 

The color of an object in light is not the same color of the object in shadow.  You must LOOK at the landscape and SEE what color your object is in the sunlight, and once you can match that, then SEE how both the value and the temperature change in shadow. 

Careful observation will show you that most often objects are warm in our Florida sunlight, then your shadows will contain a bit of the color's compliment, and be much cooler in temperature.  

No rules, though.  You have to look and observe for yourself because nature is always full of surprises!

Tomorrow will be Wet Paint Live on Marco.  You can pick up a map at the Chamber of Commerce and visit all 20 artists as they paint the island.  Free!

You can also attend a very fun auction of the finished paintings as the Art Center at 6.  Tickets are $35 and include some great food.  The auction supports scholarships on the island.  Join island artists and support the arts and have a great time, too!