from Colley Whisson

Creative interpretation of reality is central to the artistic process, and Colley Whisson often highlights the importance of not feeling compelled to replicate every detail of a scene onto the canvas. Colley likes to emphasize that we don't have to paint exactly what's there or put everything in that's in the scene. He often advocates for a more abstract approach. By focusing on the 'raw ingredients' of the scene, it invites us to interpret and reconstruct reality in a way that resonates more deeply with our personal artistic voice, offering a gateway to more expressive and meaningful artwork.

Mixing creative interpretation and selective composition is a strategic artistic choice that involves deciding which elements to include or exclude from a painting. In Colley’s painting below, you can see his decision making from photo reference to painting. He was deciding whether or not to include the ship in the background. The inclusion of the ship highlights the importance of selective composition in storytelling. We can create more impactful and focused works by carefully choosing our subjects and how they are arranged. Selective composition encourages viewers to focus on the intended narrative or emotion, making the artwork more engaging and memorable.

Achieving depth and distance in painting is a skill that transforms a flat canvas into a window into another world. Colley focuses on creating depth and distance, and this underscores the technical prowess required to bring a sense of three-dimensional space to a two-dimensional medium. There are many techniques and principles that enable artists to suggest depth, such as atmospheric perspective, color temperature, and the strategic placement of objects. The ability to effectively create depth and distance can dramatically enhance the realism and immersive quality of a piece, drawing viewers into the scene depicted.

Lastly, color temperature plays a pivotal role in creating mood, depth, and harmony within a painting. Colley notes that a nice color temperature is a key accomplishment, and often illustrates the delicate balance required to manage the warm and cool hues in a scene. Color temperature not only affects the overall aesthetic of a painting but also influences the viewer's emotional response and the perceived realism of the work. Understanding and manipulating color temperature allows us to guide the viewer's eye through the composition and to add vibrancy or subtlety to our work.

Colley provides a wealth of online tutorials and recorded sessions, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Click below to join Colley: