Discovering Reflected Color
By Tracey Maras
One of the ways to take one’s art to the next level may be hidden in the shadows.
When asked to identify the color of a shadow, it is common to respond that it would be a darker color of whatever is in shadow. A shadow of a tree on green grass would be a darker green. A shadow of the same tree on dirt would be a darker brown.
But the answer is not that simple. There are a variety of colors that can be reflecting into those shadows. The shadow color of the grass or dirt will be cooled by the blue reflecting from the sky.
Nearby objects can also impart the shadow with a hint of color. Sun striking a red barn will bounce red onto nearby snow. The warm hues of sand will reflect onto the shadow side of a rock or the horns of a Big-horned Sheep.
Sunlight shining on a face of a portrait may warm the brim of a hat.
Discovering these little jewels of color can enliven a painting by making the shadows more interesting. But first it takes awareness. We must go looking for them. Direct observation works best as photographs rarely capture these subtleties well.
On a bright sunny day, go for a walk with the goal of looking for reflected color. Look for vertical surfaces that are in shadow. If sunlight is shining on something nearby, see if you can identify any color shift onto the vertical surface. It might be at the base of a tree trunk. It may even be along the underneath surface of a branch.
Being more aware that they exist leads to a treasure hunt for color. You’ll soon discover colors bouncing back and forth between surfaces, creating a kaleidoscope of color. Discovering these little jewels of color are like the cherry on a sundae.
