The finished painting will have an extreme level of contrast between the light of the sky and the back-lit, silhouetted shadows of the foreground. It is important to me that these seemingly flat, dark shapes possess a richness and depth to their color, as well as some unexpected varieties. Therefore, I will mix these darker values with color rather than rely on the use of straight black.
Years ago, I discovered that deep rich “blacks” could be achieved by mixing Alizarin Crimson with Viridian Green and applying these colors in multiple layers. I also keep a little Indigo close by as a “darkening agent”, and to maintain the coolness of the shadows.
I mix the colors together each time before touching the canvas, as opposed to mixing one big batch of the color for the entire area. Again, this is to ensure that variety is maintained within the shadows as well as to provide room for the unexpected – allowing for some improvisation and play.
As these transparent colors layer on top of one another the value will darken more and more. This is just the “base coat”.
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