aerial perspective

5.5x10 pastel and watercolor

 Aerial perspective is the space between objects. In other words, it is because of the air things appear differently. The glorious humidity of this area (Mid -Atlantic) amplifies aerial perspective, while the dry air of the desert downplays it. 
It is what it is, but still you don’t have to accept what you see. Instead you can make the space. Do you want it to show far distance or a more intimate space?  Orchestrate!  In the distance the air is cooler, lighter, softer, and greyer. How much is up to you. Warmth occurs in foreground, more light compounding onto it. There is an exception to this set-up and that is dusk. After the sun has sets the distance can be warmed by the last rays and the foreground cool because of lack of light and air
When you really think about it, it's amazing! Happy painting.

a study in aerial perspective

9x18 pastel and watercolor on Uart

I am fortunate to be living in a wonderful house while I am in La Conner. My bedroom and deck look out to this. The Tivel family has been so gracious to allow me to stay with them...lucky me. It's my home away from home.  Every year I come home to "my room." I have watched this view for years and finally I painted it.

Aerial perspective or atmospheric perspective, it has both names, is what it's all about. What you need to consider in order to make it work is the same though. When planning this painting I purposely strengthened the foreground colors and consciously decreased the colors in the distance.  Chroma, strong in front, weak in back.  Size is another tool and of course linear perspective is another.

On another note, today I will meet fellow blogger Casey Klahn for some early morning plein air painting... More on that later!