Series 25: WORKING WITH HALFTONES

Interpreting Halftones- S25L1

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This lesson is S25L1, Interpreting Halftones of the WORKING WITH HALFTONES series.   Using as her subject a little mountain waterfall, Dianne locates halftone areas then slowly blocks them in with three degrees of value while showing how each gets warmer the lighter it becomes.  Halftones are cooler in temperature closer to shadow areas and become warmer as they get closer to the center light.

Under a direct light source, between center light and shadow exists halftones.  It is within these halftone areas that we find  local color–hue,  intensity, value and temperature at their truest registration.  Photos will not show nuances within these that the human eye can detect.  This   series of lessons explore how to read and interpret these nuances.

 Lessons 1 & 3 are studies, each showing how to use a principle to resolve an issue.  Lessons 2 & 4 each take the previous study to a conclusion, showing how to use those same principles to bring convert the study into a painting.

With every brushstroke we make, we are composing.  Just as with any creation, we begin with a structure, then as the art work begins we place shapes and colors according the concept with which we are working.  But the time comes when we move to a different level of thinking and decision-making–that moment when our intention becomes to bring clarity and resolution to the work.

Among Dianne’s passions about painting and teaching painting is how composing principles can expand creative freedom if the artist transcends the “rule” idea and instead, transforms the principle into a tool that opens creative doors.

Read Dianne’s Compose blog posts HERE.  Visit Dianne’s website and example her work HERE.  And visit her YouTube Channel with dozens of Quick Tips HERE.