Perceiving Light

"The Flow of Spring" - 11x14” - Acrylic on Canvas - I wanted to do another spring scene and thought this stream would make a really nice painting. Finding the right mix of colors was a bit of a challenge though. I wanted the pinks, blues, and greens to be in the same tonal range so that the viewer’s eye could move smoothly over the piece without being halted by any one area. Overall, I think I accomplished my goal and I really enjoyed creating the rock and tree textures. I think this is one of my new favorite pieces. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/the-flow-of-spring Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/azalea-brook-water-clean-green-5162523/ MUSIC: Heartwarming by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100207 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Eternal Hope by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100238 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"Day Watch" - 12x16” - Acrylic on Canvas - This seascape was another experiment with using softer brushes instead of my usual stiff bristle ones and overall, I’m pleased with the result. It didn’t go quite as smoothly as my other lighthouse paintings, but the rocks were fun and I’m particularly happy with the way the clouds turned out. The most challenging part was the reflection of the lighthouse in the puddle. I had to repaint it a few times before being satisfied with it. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/day-watch Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/lighthouse-ocean-sea-coast-travel-1872998/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #seascapepainting

"Unleashed" - 12x9” - Acrylic on Canvas - I’ve wanted to try painting lightning for a long time and chose this scene because of the epic cloud formation. I usually use stiff bristle brushes for my paintings, but this time I thought it would be a fun experiment to try some softer, finer ones. Overall, I’m pleased with the way this piece turned out. The softer brushes gave the clouds a nice texture but the illumination from the lightning was a bit of a challenge. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/unleashed Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/radius-rays-clouds-storm-sky-4236297 - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"A Touch of Spring" - 12x9” - Acrylic on Canvas - My niece asked me to paint this flower that she found. I haven’t done anything close to portrait work in a while, so getting the tones right in the fingers was a small challenge. Overall I enjoyed the simplicity of this piece. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/a-touch-of-spring Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #flowerpainting

"Oklahoma Spring" - 12x9” - Acrylic on Canvas - This painting was inspired by a photo from my sister who lives in Oklahoma. The first leaves were starting to appear on the trees there and this view caught her eye, so she asked me to paint it for her. The process was smooth with little challenge and I’m fairly pleased with the end result. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/oklahoma-spring Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"Looks Like Rain" - 12x16” - Acrylic on Canvas - I kept coming across this scene when I was looking for more reference photos and thought it would make a fun painting. The unique mixture of different textures made the piece interesting and it went really smoothly until I got to the horse. He was a bit challenging and I had to rework him a few times before I was satisfied with this painting as a whole. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/looks-like-rain Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/horse-brown-stall-box-cute-2776880/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #horsepainting

"On the Rocks" - 11x14” - Acrylic on Canvas - I really enjoyed painting “Under the Sea” and it made me want to do another beach scene. I’m actually not very satisfied with how this piece turned out. The foreground perspective was rather challenging and it still feels a bit off to me. I told Sara how much trouble I had with it so she named the painting “On the Rocks.” It was definitely a rocky experience—pun intended! ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/on-the-rocks Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/beach-clouds-landscape-nature-1839922/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #seascapepainting

"A New Dawn" - 12x9” - Acrylic on Canvas - For Good Friday, I wanted to do a painting with a bit of an Easter theme. Sara showed me a photo she had taken of the old Lambertville Outlet Lock and I thought it would be neat to add a door and give it a tomb-like feeling. I actually redid the foreground several times before being satisfied with it. I wanted the warm, sun-lit path to draw the viewer’s gaze toward the tomb and the mysterious light coming from inside. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/a-new-dawn Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"Under the Sea" - 11x14” - Acrylic on Canvas - Before I got back to doing landscapes I thought it would nice to do another wildlife painting. I chose a sea turtle because they’re one of my niece’s favorite animals. I love the color palette in this piece but the detail work was a bit of a pain with all the lines in the flippers. The shell texture was also challenging, but overall, I’m happy with how it turned out. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/under-the-sea Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/turtle-tortoise-swim-sea-turtle-863336/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #wildlifepainting

"Chillin'" - 11x14” - Acrylic on Canvas - I’ve wanted to try painting a tiger for a long time but just never got around to it. I figured now was as good a time as any! This piece was actually a bit a breakthrough for me. I wanted it to be simple but still realistic and I think I succeeded in my goal. I don’t usually enjoy painting, it’s hard work and tiring, but this piece was a refreshing change and I hope it makes my future paintings go smoother. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/chillin Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/tiger-animal-wildlife-nature-cat-2196128/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #wildlifepainting

"Time Off" - 12x16” - Acrylic on Canvas - Even after “Tranquil Path” I still felt like I needed a break so I thought it would be fun to do a calm vacation scene. The most challenging part of this piece was getting the light on the water right. I actually tried doing a boat at first but got rid of it and painted the tent and campfire instead. I’m not a huge camping fan—I’m too concerned about bear attacks—but it’d be nice to get lost in this scene for a while and I hope the viewer feels the same way! ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/time-off Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/pond-fishing-sakura-cherry-blossoms-4109750/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"Tranquil Path" - 12x16” - Acrylic on Canvas - After several wildlife paintings I wanted to get back to doing landscapes. I actually tried two scenes before this one but scrapped them because they just didn’t feel right. This painting was inspired by those failures and my desire for quiet and calm. It was refreshing for me as an artist to paint such a simple scene and I hope it’s equally refreshing for the viewer. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/tranquil-path Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/summer-landscape-background-dawn-2913410/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"Simba" - 5x7” - Acrylic on Canvas - Some friends commissioned this pet portrait for their niece when her beloved cat, Simba, died recently. They said she trained him to take walks with her and caused quite a stir around their neighborhood. He must have been a very special cat and I hope I captured not just his likeness, but his spirit in this painting. COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: perceivinglight.com/contact Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #petportrait

"Lurking" - 12x16” - Acrylic on Canvas - Someone asked me to paint a whale underwater but I haven’t been able to find a good reference image yet. Instead I found this shark and was instantly captured by the eerie drama of the scene. The whole painting went really smoothly and someday I’d like to do a similar piece with a hammerhead shark. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/lurking Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/sea-water-ocean-underwater-fish-2561399/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #wildlifepainting

"Snow Day" - 11x14” - Acrylic on Canvas - It’s been a while since I’ve done any animal paintings, so I wanted to try another. This piece was inspired by all the snow we’ve had here recently. At first, I created a more detailed background, but when it detracted from the horse’s form and movement, I simplified it. This inspired me to also simplify the color palette and give the illusion that the horse was a part of the snow itself. I really enjoyed accentuating that illusion and may try a similar piece with water in the future. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/snow-day Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/white-horse-winter-snow-december-3010129/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #horsepainting

"Starlight Star Bright" - 12x16” - Acrylic on Canvas - This piece was a bit of an experiment. I wanted to try painting a night sky and had fun creating the stars with a splatter technique but the foreground trees felt rather flat when I was finished. I thought adding some fire would give them more interest and almost added an alien tripod in the background, but in the end settled for a simple full moon. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/starlight-star-bright Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/milky-way-galaxy-night-sky-stars-984050/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"Derbyshire Dawn" - 11x14" - Acrylic on Canvas - I wanted to paint another broader landscape like “Once Upon a November” and chose this scene because of the dramatic lighting. The unusual perspective provided a nice challenge and I enjoyed using various tones to achieve a sense of distance. Sara says I should have changed the rocks in the foreground to sleeping sheep, but I told her if she squints to blur her vision a bit, she can just pretend they’re sheep! lol ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/derbyshire-dawn Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/mam-tor-ridge-peak-district-5393685/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"First Snow" - 9x12” - Acrylic on Canvas - I was originally going to do this as a Christmas painting and tried adding ornaments and light strands to the little tree, but in the end it just didn’t fit with the piece as a whole. Instead, I created a more dramatic sense of lighting to give the scene a touch of magic. This is definitely not my favorite piece, but the background trees were enjoyable and I will probably revisit the subject in the future. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/first-snow Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://unsplash.com/photos/XyIonPcSDDQ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"Drama Road" - 11x14” - Acrylic on Canvas - I loved the mysterious quality of this scene and thought it would be an apt way to start off the new year. The orange light in the background could be a beautiful sunset or a raging forest fire; this is exactly how 2021 feels to me—will it end in prosperity or disaster? I really wanted to play up the contrast in this scene and draw the viewer’s eye down the road to an uncertain future. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/drama-road Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/redwood-national-park-california-1587301/ COLORS USED: Liquitex Brand ~ White (Pure Titanium White) ~ Yellow Orange (Custom Mix of Cadmium Yellow Medium, Titanium White, & Cadmium Red Deep) ~ Warm Red (Custom Mix of Cadmium Red Deep, Titanium White, & Ultramarine Blue) ~ Dark Violet (Custom Mix of Dioxizine Purple, Titanium White, & Cadmium Yellow Medium) ~ Green (Custom Mix of Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Yellow Medium, & Titanium White) ~ Yellow Green (Custom Mix of Cadmium Yellow Medium, Ultramarine Blue, & Titanium White) ~ Yellow (Custom Mix of Cadmium Yellow Medium & Titanium White) ~ Sky Blue (Ultramarine Blue & Titanium White) - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

Welcome to Perceiving Light! ⁣⁣My name is Timothy Stanford and I'm an acrylic painter. My work is a constant journey of discovery as I strive to achieve a reasonable balance between personal style and realism. Each painting is a new challenge and an opportunity for growth. My main focus is the study of light as it plays across glorious landscapes, majestic wildlife, and sometimes...mythical worlds. I hope you'll come along on this journey with me...⁣⁣ SUBSCRIBE:⁣ https://www.youtube.com/perceivinglight?sub_confirmation=1⁣ Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway/⁣ WEBSITE: ⁣ https://perceivinglight.com/⁣ SOCIAL:⁣ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight ⁣PAINTINGS PREVIEWED: ⁣0:05 - "Once Upon a November" - https://youtu.be/4JV5_WHhl3w 0:07 - "Into the Light" - https://youtu.be/n5vQoeiNMqQ 0:11 - "Tropical" - https://youtu.be/Do0fwzvip3g 0:13 - "Morning Watch" - https://youtu.be/LnQ7oOs7T2M 0:17 - "Magic on Ice" - https://youtu.be/iy41XoegvDI 0:19 - "Across the Sea" - https://youtu.be/QmK1eIiBMyg 0:23 - "A Quick Buck" - https://youtu.be/qhqxJuTrMHM 0:25 - "Savage Predator" - https://youtu.be/lrdSljaZfGE 0:29 - "Ablaze" - https://youtu.be/SVBXDsu3Bws 0:31 - "Oncoming Storm" - https://youtu.be/m746_qlL52I - ⁣- ⁣- ⁣#acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"Magic on Ice" - 11x14” - Acrylic on Canvas - This piece is actually the result of a failed painting. Originally, I had planned to do a different mountain forest scene but after numerous reworkings it still just wouldn’t come together. So when I started this painting I was determined to add a touch of magic to it. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/magic-on-ice Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/yellowstone-national-park-wyoming-1581879/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

2020 is over... it’s about time! Happy New Year!! Thanks to Everyone! ORIGINAL PAINTINGS, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/ Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/perceivinglight - - - #acrylicpainting #bloopers #behindtheeasel

"Twin Pinnacles" - 12x16” - Acrylic on Canvas - After painting some spring and summer mountains in “Morning Heights” and “A River View” I thought it would be fun to try some snowy scenes this time. I chose this piece because of the complimentary colors and the stark contrast of the sun and shadows. Those shadows were a bit difficult to achieve, but overall the painting went smoothly. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/twin-pinnacles Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/mountains-cosmiques-ridge-1828596/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"Flamenco" - 11x14” - Acrylic on Canvas - I wanted another subject to compliment “Tropical” and Sara suggested I try painting a flamingo. I haven’t done any animals in a while so I thought it would be a nice change. I’m really happy with the way this piece turned out although I don’t like it as much as “Tropical.” The most difficult part was settling on the right hues, but adding the light blooms and teal background to make this guy pop was a fun challenge. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/flamenco Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/flamingo-bird-pink-tropical-color-89367/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #wildlifepainting

"Tropical" - 11x14” - Acrylic on Canvas - I’ve been itching to paint another beach scene and figured now was a great time as we head toward snowy weather. This has to be one of my favorite paintings ever! The whole thing went incredibly smoothly and I had a lot of fun with the beach and shoreline. Sara tells me it looks like a photograph and perhaps it does, but the nice thing about painting is I can change the subject however I want it to be. In this case, the beach in the original photo was filled with people…too bad I can’t paint away crowds like that in real life! ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/tropical Win a FREE art print: https://perceivinglight.com/print-giveaway SOCIAL: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perceivinglight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perceiving_light Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/perceivinglight PHOTO INSPIRATION: https://pixabay.com/photos/beach-people-tropical-thailand-2084350/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting