BackLit Trees

Hello all!

Lighting has so much impact during outdoor painting. Whereas creating light in an indoor space can be controlled, an outdoor environment comes with endless lighting obstacles. Never let these challenges stop you from painting outside- it is tremendously worth it in the end. :)

2020-L43-Unger-VineyardTrees-5x7 / ‘Vineyard Trees’ / 5”x7” / Oil on Canvas / Cassi Unger

This was painted when the sun was transitioning from behind the trees to overhead. I began painting when the sun was behind these trees, creating a backlighting (and only highlighting the very edges and sky-holes of the trees).

I implemented the lighting I saw in the first few minutes starting the piece. And, after those moments, when the sun rose, I used the initial memory as reference for the rest of the painting. You can see it in more detail in this picture.

Have a colorful day,

xxCass