Perceiving Light

"Into the Light" - 12x16” - Acrylic on Canvas - I wanted to paint another springtime scene and loved the way the light illuminated this forested path. I really had fun playing with the different color relationships, creating contrast between the foreground and background. The sun rays gave this piece a somewhat mystical feeling, but it still felt like it needed something more. I added the heron to give it that last touch of magic that it was missing. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/into-the-light 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/sun-s-rays-morning-light-landscape-1139123/ - - - #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

"Fortunata" - 11x14" - Acrylic on Canvas - It's always nice to paint the same subject more than once. It gives me the opportunity to refine prior techniques and experiment with new ones. This fox painting was no exception. Where the fur in “Chickenhound” was more smooth and sleek, this fur was much more fluffy and texturized. I loved playing up the blues in the shadows of the white fur and complimenting them with the rich orange tones. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/fortunata/ 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/fox-camouflage-autumn-wild-animal-985292/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #wildlifepainting

"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

"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

"Savage Predator" - 9x12” - Acrylic on Canvas - After painting a great predator of the sea, I thought it’d be cool to paint a great predator of the sky. This eagle captured my imagination with his fierce expression and dangerous vibe. I had fun with the color scheme; playing up the blues and browns to accentuate his bright orange beak and eyes. The eyes were actually my favorite part. It was a lot of fun creating the sense of threat and danger in them. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/savage-predator 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/PltXkZ0KNh0 - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #wildlifepainting

"Brilliant Path" - 12x16” - Acrylic on Canvas - This is the Delaware Canal towpath near the Thompson Neely house. It’s a beautiful place in every season, but my favorite time is in the fall when the multitude of colors creates a brilliant backdrop to the calm, tranquil water. Those same colors provide a unique challenge in autumn paintings like this one. They make it tricky to get the lighting and shadows just right, but when the whole scene finally comes together it’s a joy to see! ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/brilliant-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 - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"Natural Light" - 12x9” - Acrylic on Canvas - My mother-in-law took the photo that inspired this piece. I thought it was clever how she captured the rising sun so perfectly in the unlit lamp post and couldn’t resist painting the scene. The fence took a lot of time and care but the plant in the foreground added a fun touch of interest to be more creative with. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/natural-light 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

"Oncoming Storm" - 11x14” - Acrylic on Canvas - I wanted to paint another sunset piece that contrasted well with “Light in the Forest” and chose this scene because of the dramatic lighting and colorful clouds. The deep oranges and reds really appealed to me after so much green and yellow and the clouds were a lot of fun to create. The most difficult part of this painting was blending the range of colors in the sky but I think the end result was worth the struggle. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/oncoming-storm 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-lagoon-sunset-sundown-164288/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #seascapepainting

"Fall at Tyler Park" - 5x7” - Acrylic on Canvas - Containing over 1,711 acres, Tyler State Park is a great source of inspiration for any artist. This path can be found not far from the Schofield Ford Covered Bridge, one of twelve remaining covered bridges in Bucks County. The most challenging part of this piece was creating the illusion of distance down the path, but the bright highlights against the dark shadows made this miniature painting quick and enjoyable. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/fall-at-tyler-park 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

"Evening Falls" - 12x16" - Acrylic on Canvas - With summer getting hotter, I wanted to paint some waterfalls to help me stay in a “cool” frame of mind. This scene struck me with its craggy rocks and refreshing pool. Completely changing the light from the original photo was a challenge, but I had a lot of fun creating the sunburst and playing with the texture of the water. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/evening-falls/ 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/jeju-island-cheonjiyeon-waterfall-1594590/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"Gotcha" - 12x16” - Acrylic on Canvas - This painting actually started out as a normal landscape. Once I had created the waterfalls however, I realized that it would be the perfect backdrop for another fantasy painting. My inspiration came from old 80s and 90s sci-fi books that my brother used to read. It was a challenge forming a believable environment but the moon and glowing green plant life was a lot of fun to create. The most enjoyable part was developing the scale relationship between the two subjects and adding detail to the tripod arm. Full Length Versions: Part 1: https://youtu.be/o-6dnbNEYqU Part 2: https://youtu.be/pnzf4P2a1DY ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/gotcha/ 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 #fantasypainting

"Breakers" - 12x16” - Acrylic on Canvas - After how smoothly “Morning Watch” and “Evening Watch” came together, I wanted to try painting another ocean scene. This time I chose some rolling breakers. I loved the way the light passed through them creating a soft green tint. I used some deep blues in the background to accentuate that green and draw the viewer’s focus to the foamy foreground of the painting. PRINTS & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/breakers 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/wave-water-surf-ocean-sea-spray-3473335/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #seascapepainting

"Fire in the Sky" - 12x16" - Acrylic on Canvas - After “Unleashed” I wanted to try another lightning painting, but this time a bit more unusual. The bright oranges in this scene caught my eye and I loved playing around with the gradients in the clouds and water. It was difficult achieving the softness in the clouds without sacrificing the brilliance of the lightning, but overall I’m satisfied with how this piece turned out. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/fire-in-the-sky 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/thunderstorm-sea-clouds-storm-3417042/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #seascapepainting

"Autumn Trail" - 9x12” - Acrylic on Canvas - I wanted to paint another fall scene similar to “Brilliant Path” but this time with more trees. The photo that inspired this painting actually had a rocky stream instead of a path so it took some work to get the depth and lighting right. Overall, I really enjoyed this piece. It flowed smoothly and the autumn colors were fun to work with. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE: https://perceivinglight.com/autumn-trail 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/forest-fall-bach-nature-2960071/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"Morning Heights" - 9x12” - Acrylic on Canvas - After painting numerous paths and forests, I wanted to try something different. I thought mountains would be a nice change and chose this scene because of the unique angle and the brilliant orange sunrise. I really enjoyed playing with the colors in this piece—accentuating the blues and purples and contrasting them with the yellow-orange gradients in the sunburst. I wanted the whole painting to have a hopeful feeling, like going outside on a bright, sunny day after being stuck indoors for far too long. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/morning-heights 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/dI7vfR1Bqcg - - - #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

"Across the Sea" - 12x16” - Acrylic on Canvas - Before returning to land-based subjects, I wanted to try painting some sea creatures. I chose these whales because of the way the sunlight highlighted them so perfectly. At first, I tried exaggerating this highlight to bring more drama to the piece, but quickly realized that it overwhelmed the whales and wasn’t true to how real sunlight behaves. Repainting the water was frustrating, but I’m satisfied with the end result and encouraged by how smoothly the piece came together once I realized my mistake. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/across-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://unsplash.com/photos/maxbZW7MKs4 - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #wildlifepainting

"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

"A Quick Buck" - 11x14” - Acrylic on Canvas - I’ve thought about painting a deer for a while now but kept getting distracted by landscapes and other animals. I loved the way the light illuminated this stag and created so much contrast between the lighter and darker tones in the fur. It provided a nice challenge in an otherwise simple piece. I chose blue for the background to really make this guy pop and create a more dramatic atmosphere. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/a-quick-buck 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/deer-stag-wildlife-animal-1982416/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #wildlifepainting

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

"Empty Seat" - 11x14” - Acrylic on Canvas - One of our commenters on YouTube described this painting best…”the sunlight never ceases to come through no matter where we are in our worlds.” Originally, I finished this piece without adding that ray of sunshine, but it felt too dark, too dreary and devoid of life. I hope that the warm glow of the sun reminds other viewers that even when life is empty, the sun can and will shine again. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/empty-seat 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/bench-bank-seat-rest-forest-1190768/ MUSIC: Air Prelude by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100337 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ - - - #acrylicpainting #timelapse #landscapepainting

"Autumn Splendor" - 12x16" - Acrylic on Canvas - Trees are one of my favorite subjects to paint, especially in the fall. This old oak can be found on the east side of Washington Crossing Park near the soccer field. It’s a very simple scene, but the variety of colors and the sharp contrast of the cool shadows with the bright morning light provided a vivid source of inspiration. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/autumn-splendor 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

"Sunday Morning" - 11x14" - Acrylic on Canvas - Bears can look so human at times, it’s a little unnerving. This guy is no exception, but it took a lot of reworking to get his face and expression just right. I wanted the whole painting to evoke a quiet contentment, like a peaceful Sunday morning just after dawn. The simple background and small flowers in the foreground were a fun touch of color for this piece. ORIGINAL PAINTING, PRINTS, & MERCHANDISE available here: https://perceivinglight.com/sunday-morning/ 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/bear-animal-nature-dangerous-4158536/ - - - #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