Nocturnes

Arkhip Kuindzhi

Patches of Moonlight

Earlier I posted a color study that I have used for the painting, in which I am finishing up at the moment of the Headless Horseman. The painting is a "Nocturne" or a painting of a night scene, and is the second painting I have done like it. Painting a nocturne is quite different, and a bit more challenging for me. Rather than trying to create light , you are challenged with creating a lack thereof, which entails a lot of other techniques and methods. . This type of painting examines darkness and conditions near its edge. Creating far more unique compositions, nocturnes heavily rely on abstract elements in order to hold the picture together. For this reason, shapes and silhouettes play a big role , often times edges are softened, and the values in the painting are often close to one another. (When I say values I do not mean your personal values, or whether you not you believe in abortion, etc... Rather, I mean values in terms of light to dark. A number 1 value being the lightest and a 10 being the darkest value. ) The typical color palette for this type of painting is of course cool,limited, and moody.

As always I like to look to some other artists for information and inspiration. Above and below I have included a number of nocturnes that have been painted by various artist over time, all equally amazing!!

Enjoy!

Tsuchiya Koitsu

Maizuru Harbor at Night

N.C. Wyeth

The Black Spot

N.C. Wyeth

The Old Pew

N.C. Wyeth

The Treasure Cave

Frederic Remington

The Sentinel

Frederic Remington

The Old Stage-Coach of the Plains

Frederic Remington

The Hunters' Supper

James Abbot McNeil Whistler

Falling Rocket

Childe Hassam

Railway Crossing

Rembrandt

St. Paul at his Desk

Rembrandt

An old Usurer Examining a Coin