TM8589 In Silence 30×60 oil on panel

In Silence explores the poetic qualities of color and the absence of color – black. It  looks at the drama of autumn, that time when we turn from light-filled days full of color to the deep, darkening mysteries of winter and night. The right and left sides of the painting, with reflected trees and sky, mirror the soft air and vibrancy of fall while framing the dark center. The mood is quiet; the few floating leaves suggest time’s passage and form a bridge across the center. Details below. Enjoy!

TM8589 In Silence – detail from center top with floating leaf and reflected foliage

TM8589 In Silence – detail from lower right with reflections

TM8589 In Silence – detail from center showing use of scraping, spatter, and multiple layers of transparent glaze

TM8589 In Silence – detail from upper right showing layered spatter and scraping

TM8589 In Silence – detail from left side with sky and tree reflections

Technical painting notes: I used a soft rubber brayer to roll on thin glazes and to distribute and soften the edges of color. Scraping into wet glazes, especially in the darkest areas, provided a slight low relief and kept the darks luminous.