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Margret E. Short Fine Arts

Margret E. Short Fine Arts

Portland, Oregon artist Margret Short - a modern day master of 17th Century Dutch art using the chiaroscuro technique to create still life and floral paintings.

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Details

May 14, 2008 by Margret Short

12_x_12_oranges_blue_plate_orangela

This detail of a new painting, yet unnamed, measures 12 x 12. This also follows along with the analogous plan…many varieties of reds, red-oranges, and yellows all throughout the composition with a vibrant blue complement used sparingly. Even in the very dark background areas lurks thin warm tones of all kinds. Over all, at first glance, the painting has a warm feel to it which is actually my favorite. The shadows within the object are also thin and warm showing a minimum of detail. This approach enables the illusion of transparent shadows.

12_x_12_oranges_lace_blue_plate_roe

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.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. WR Jones says

    May 15, 2008 at 12:55 pm

    Love your use of color.

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