Sitting in the dark – Observations

by deanmelbourne

I drove out into the surrounding countryside with it in mind that I would pick a spot and sit and look. Really look. It seemed like a good way to start this process of thinking about night paintings. My first observation was that it was anything but dark. There was a full moon that lit the night. I stood out of the car looking across fields. I could see the glow from the conurbation.

away from the moon . just looking at colour and tone. no focus

The night felt thin, the light and the air felt thin. None of that sense of being shrouded or hidden. The spotlight of the moon felt harsh even as it passed behind clouds. I took some photos. I dont really want to rely on photos entirely but it helps me to remember what i thought. I played around with the little compact camera until the tones and colours were close to what I could see. Here is the closest.

as close as i could get to what my eye could see.away from the moon . just looking at colour and tone. no focus

Some thoughts or choices have come up as a result of thinking about this.

The natural night vs the modern night. How does the contemporary night differ? The halogen headlights on the car combine to give an unnatural colour in a foreground but leave an natural sky beyond for example.

Digital manipulation vs  purely observed. It is possible to create stunning images very easily but is there an value in that for me?

Whistler, Van gogh , Munch , Friedrich , Rego etc have all understood their use of the night in their work. They have used it to there own symbolic ends.

My initial approach to the subject has left me feeling that I must understand my motivation in more depth to help inform decisions.

In other news I am really excited to have found some inspiring images that will enable me to start some new work. I think I may try painting on board this time. Just have to get over the hurdle of bulding myself or finding someone who will.

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