After trying to create a miniature scale of my project, I have realized that I have a lot of different parts that have to be put together to make this piece work. Originally I wanted to have one light source in the center of the painting, coming from the sun, but there was worry that the light would not illuminate the painting enough. Therefore, I am testing a theory of using acrylic panes with LED strips around the edges, in hopes that it will produce enough light to create the effect that I want on my painting. Otherwise, I might have to consider making a shadow box instead and maybe just having an acrylic pane in the back that is etched with a design in the sun. This will create an effect that makes it seem like the sun is the light source.
Thus far, I have been playing around with colors that I will need in order to make the “Carnovsky effect” in the sky that I want.
This has been difficult, as I am waiting for the LED strip that I will be using to come in the mail. I have been using someone else’s LED strip but I realized that it I can’t finalize the colors I am able to use until I get the exact strip I am going to use since the colors may display differently. I have also tried testing how I can make this “reflective” effect on the water with different paint, but this is a “nice to have” thing so it is not at the top of my priorities.
Once the LED strips come in and I get some acrylic panes this week, I should be able to see if there is enough light to illuminate my painting. So my shopping list for this project for now is:
- 1/8″ Frosted Acrylic, 12″x12″
- 1/8″ Acrylic Sheet, 12″x12″
- LED Light strip
- 3D printed frame? Or deep wooden frame?
- Acrylic Paint
- Paint Brushes
- Canvas
A tentative timeline I have for the next couple weeks is:
- Acquire all materials: 9/15
- Start testing the LED on the edge of acrylic panes: 9/16 – 9/21
- Start testing the colors of the LED strip against paint colors: 9/16 – 9/18
- Start painting (probably water portion): 9/17 – 9/20
- Attempting Carnovsky effect with the sky: 9/18 – 9/24
- Combining all aspects for testing: 9/26
- Troubleshoot any issues: 9/27 – 9/30
- Add any other effects: 10/1 – 10/4
I really like this idea and where you are going with it. Honestly, I think the acrylic shadow box idea is a very innovative way to achieve your design and would make a cool affect. I also think the idea you said in class- painting in the color light until you can’t see that color- may actually work pretty well. I remember from seeing the affect that not all the designs were completely erased in a different color, one drawing just really stood out. So if you’re having trouble completely disguising the design in another color light just make sure the color you draw the designs in are especially bold so it disguises it well.
I second the thought that using the acrylic with the shadow box to convey your idea is a very cool solution. I’ve always been pretty fascinated by those type of images made from such means, so I hope you’re able to get a cool sketch into it! If you do go that route, I would make sure to test the paint under the light with the acrylic on top, since that could possibly mess with how it reacts to the lighting.
You could also try mixing the colors if a color seems to light/dark under the RGB. Water color could be a cool idea/style if you weren’t planning on going down this route. I could see water color blending in better? But, I’m not too sure.