Contrast In Art Painting

Explore simple techniques to add contrast to your paintings.

What Is An Example of Contrast In Painting?

A light-colored object in front of a dark background is an example of contrast in a painting. The contrast in value between an object and the background tells the viewer that these are two separate objects. It creates an illusion of depth. An object with the same value as the background will be harder to differentiate. An easy rule to follow is that objects in the foreground, closest to the viewer typically are higher in contrast to one another. Objects in the background are typically painted with similar values making them seem farther away.

Understanding The Power of Contrast In A Painting

An artist can increase or decrease contrast in a painting in a variety of ways. For instance, textures can be used to illustrate how objects differ. Illuminated objects appear lighter than those that fall in shadow. A bold difference between light and dark can be referred to as chiaroscuro. Chiaroscuro techniques can make a painting seem dramatic. I believe that it's easier to paint an object lit with chiaroscuro lighting than a scene of similar values. A painting lacking bold lights and shadows often relies upon subtle color changes to define forms. Creating subtle color changes can be harder to master. The shadow shapes that exist in boldly lit scenes do much of the work for you. Learning to modify the contrast in values can draw attention to an object, subtly directing the viewer's attention.

How To Add Contrast To A Painting

Here's an easy way to add contrast to a painting. When painting a portrait or an object, notice where the edge of the face meets the background. Are they similar in value? If so, consider darkening the background in that area or gently lightening the edge of the face. Next, check out the opposite side of the figure. If the hair and background are too similar in value, lighten the adjacent background slightly. Mottling a background can make this easier. Dark hair bordering a lighter background makes it seem like there is a distance between the model and the background or wall. It creates a visual separation. This simple method can be used in portrait painting, still-lifes, and in landscapes to differentiate one object from another.

Contrast In Color

Another easy way to use contrast when painting is to use contrasting colors. Complementary colors can be placed next to each other to draw attention to a specific area like the focal point. This is especially useful if the rest of the painting has subdued color. In a mostly neutral painting, a pop of color can be an attention-grabber. To use this method, simply use yellow next to purple, red or pink next to green, or orange next to blue.

Contrast In Color Temperature

Color temperature is perhaps more subtle, but can also be used to create contrast in a painting. Changes in color temperature occur naturally. As artists who paint what we observe, we adjust the color temperature as necessary as we move around the form. Changes in color temperature are useful when rendering objects that sit partially in light and partially in shadow. If an object is lit with warm light, the shadows may appear cool in temperature. A cool color tends to lean to the blue or purple side. Objects lit with cool or blue light may appear to have warmer shadows. A cool color tends to have more orange or yellow tones. A single pink flower may require a range of cool and warm pink oil paint colors depending on the light source.

Conclusion:

Using different textures, light, shadow, complementary color pairs, and color temperature can be powerful methods when creating a painting. All are useful when depicting objects, places, and people. I've shared an easy way to use contrast, visually separating your subject from the background. I hope that you find this helpful.

Author: Sonia Reeder-Jones