Exploring Light and Shadow The Dance of Illumination in My Paintings

Light behaves in fascinating ways. For me, understanding it is like envisioning a flowing stream. It enters from one direction and wraps around objects, revealing their forms, much like water flows around rocks. This fluid movement of light informs every decision I make as a painter, from how I arrange the objects in a still life to how I bring them to life on the canvas.

Working with light is more than just technique; it’s an exploration. My process involves painstakingly arranging objects in a shadowbox—a small wooden stage where I adjust every angle and shadow until the perfect composition emerges.

Each object interacts with the light in its own way, contributing to the overall story of the painting. This phase of preparation can take an entire day, a quiet, meditative exploration of form, texture, and shadow.

Once the model is set, the painting begins. This is where my connection to the light deepens. I start with a careful drawing on a traditionally prepared surface—either Belgian linen or a specially treated panel.

Then comes one of my favorite stages: the underpainting. In black and white, or sometimes green, I strip the scene down to pure light and shadow. Without the distraction of color, I can focus entirely on how light shapes the scene, on the contrast between brilliance and shadow. This layer is a foundation, allowing me to focus on the values that will guide the final painting.

After the underpainting has dried, I begin layering color. This is when the painting truly comes to life, as light and shadow interact with translucent layers of oil paint, creating a depth and richness that is impossible to achieve in a single stroke. Glazing—a technique where thin layers of transparent color are applied over dry paint—adds another layer of complexity, enhancing the glow of the light as it moves through the painting.

Working with light is a process of discovery. It’s not just about making things look “real,” but about creating a sense of atmosphere and mood. The interplay between light and shadow is what brings emotion into my still life paintings, guiding the viewer’s eye and evoking feelings of tranquility, contemplation, or even mystery.

The slow, deliberate nature of my process—sometimes taking months to complete a single painting—reflects my deep respect for this dance of light and shadow. It’s a reminder that, much like in life, the most meaningful things are revealed gradually, with patience and care.