Throughout this past spring and summer I began contacting the Dayton Art Institute to inquire about dates, catalogues, and accomodations. To my delight, not only am I going to Dayton to preview the Rijksmuseum Exhibit, but I have been invited to do a presentation to demonstrate my style of painting which is the Dutch technique of chiaroscuro. My web site will illustrate the dramatic counterbalance of light and dark which is used to convey both mystery and drama. We leave for Dayton next month, but first I must think of a good way to present a demonstration that will clearly show how I work on a painting and how it progresses. Maybe three or four stages on different canvases will work!
Chiaroscuro Painting
Oil painting with the chiaroscuro technique illuminates the focus area with a strong light. All other areas are painted with less detail, lower values, and intensity of color giving a mysterious appearance. By putting one or two objects in the important focus area, a strong but simple composition will emerge. Combining these oil painting techniques with a selection of superior natural pigments and oil paints result in the beautiful and evocative quality known as Chiaroscuro Painting.