| Observation
of Nature by Stefan Baumann
 Light
and Shadow, Opus One, San Juan Batista 2004, oil on
canvas, mounted on board, (8x10)
When I paint on location, I select a subject on the basis
of composition and fate. I don't spend much time fussing
over my options. I focus on what is before me, and try to
alter my spatial relationship to it in order to manifest
the best composition possible.
In Light and Shadow, Opus One, I focus
upon the cast shadows of a winter sycamore onto one of the
arches at the Mission of San Juan Bautista. The warm sunlight
illuminates the stucco as the shadows magically dance upon
the structure. The texture of the walls and the adobe brick
offer dynamic contrast to the subtle lines of the shadows.
Cast shadows are not a constant shade, but rather a subtle
gradient from the center of the shadow itself. They get
progressively lighter as they reach the key light. On this
location I could clearly delineate the darkest part of the
shadow on the stucco, so I considered that in my palette.
Within the shadow are complimentary colors of the primary:
The yellow afternoon light striking the stucco, is complimented
with tones of purple in the shadow. This relationship creates
the shadow itself; the center of the shadow has more purple
than the outer edge of the shadow. The same premise is applied
to light; the brightest area of an illuminated subject,
is always at the center of the light.
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|
William
Merritt Chase was born in Williamsburg, Indiana. His father,
understanding his son would never follow in the shoe business,
took William to a local artist to study art. This was followed
by a trip to New York to continue his studies at the National
Academy of Design. In 1871, Chase returned to his family
who had moved to St. Louis and opened a studio there. Through
the generosity of a few art patrons Chase was given the
chance to go to Europe to continue his training. 
