This Week: Chiaroscuro Still Life

This week, I’ll be exploring the chiaroscuro method in a still life. Chiaroscuro (and bear in mind that my Italian is weak to non-existent, so please forgive me!) is a combination of two words chiaro meaning light and oscuro, meaning dark. It’s a way of creating drama and depth in painting through contrast.

Caravaggio was a great exponent of this technique. The subjects loom out of the darkness. I’ll be changing my palette to use a traditional palette: Ultramarine Blue, Pthalo Blue, Burnt Siena, Ochre Yellow, Titanium White, Alizarin Crimson and Cadmium Red. You can also use the McSherry Palette and achieve much the same result.

I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday or Thursday. The Tuesday Evening Beginners 6 week course will commence on April 13th, so booking is now open if you would like to get a grounding on the alla prima technique and materials.