From the Oil Painter's Journal: Diffusion and Halation Short Caption:See the light bend around and flare off the pipes. Long Caption:This was a breakthrough painting that I did a few years ago in which I explored the effect of light wrapping around and flaring off objects. The source of the light was diffuse cool violet window light mixing with a warm orange spotlight. Highlites reveal the light source and one can see the diffused rectangular shape of the window. Silhouettes in front of a bright surface take on the color of that light. Here the shadows of the pipes are lightened and colored by the bending light. This is an effect that is around us everywhere in our daily lives but we trick ourselves into not seeing it (few artists are aware of it partly because many work from photographs) but it's obvious when you look for it. Brightly lit objects color the air with that same light. The round pipe on its side bounces warmth into the surrounding atmosphere and cool light into its bowl.

©2006 DOUG RUGH. Artwork may not be reproduced without permission.