The Use Of Light In The Art Of Painting: A Physics Perspective
Meade Brooks, Department of Physics
A goods artist brings life to a painting through the careful manipulation of light. Lighting
gives the subject color, form, depth, and harmony. But exactly how is this accomplished?
A good artist has an intuitive understanding of the physics of light and the “rules” that
must be obeyed concerning the use of light to create the desired effect in a painting. Art
and physics are usually considered to be independent, unrelated disciplines, but in reality
they are connected.
A good painting attempts to produce a subject or scene that is realistic or believable, and
this can only be done if the lighting effects are consistent with the laws of nature. Of
course, some artists intentionally introduce distortions into their paintings to achieve a
desired effect. But the distortion is only effective because the viewer recognizes that it
deviates from the expected laws of nature, so even this form of art is dependent on an
understanding of the natural properties of light. What appeals to me about painting is that
even though someone may fully understand all the physical properties of light, it takes
something more to produce a good painting. This is where the artist’s creativity, vision,
and imagination come into play. It is interesting that these are also traits found in the best
physicists.
I would like to focus my reading on the following topics regarding the use of light in
painting from a physics perspective:
• The physics of color
• The use of linear perspective
• Tonal range
• Reflections
• Optical illusions involving color
In addition to my reading, I plan to apply my studies and paint a traditional landscape oil
painting (time permitting) utilizing principles of light addressed in my readings. I believe
this study will increase my knowledge and understanding of a subject I find very
interesting, and it will enhance my instruction of the topic of light in my physics courses.
And this study may also lead to a learning community involving the physics and art
department.
The references and work plan for reading assignments are as follows:
References:
a. Light Science: Physics and the Visual Arts, by Thomas D. Rossing
b. Light: Its Interaction with Art and Antiquities, by Thomas B Brill
c. Color Theory, Color Mixing, and the Color Wheel, by Marion Boddy-Evans
d. Perspective in the World, by Bruce MacEvoy
e. Oil Painting for the Beginner, by Frederic Taubes
f. Light and Color, by Mortimer Abramowitz, Kenneth R. Spring
g. Color, Composition, and Light in the Landscape, by Schaeffer, S. Allyn
h. Optical Illusions & Visual Phenomena, by Michael Bach
i. Color: an Introduction to Practice and Principles, by Rolf G. Kuehni
j. Painting Terms and Tips, by David Adams
Work Plan:
Weeks 1-2
Read Light Science: Physics and the Visual Arts
Weeks 3-4
Read Light: Its Interaction with Art and Antiquities
Weeks 5-6
Read Color Theory, Color Mixing, and the Color Wheel and Perspective in the World
Weeks 7-8
Read Oil Painting for the Beginner and Light and Color
Weeks 9-10
Read Color, Composition, and Light in the Landscape
Weeks 11-12
Read Optical Illusions & Visual Phenomena
Weeks 13-14
Read Color: an Introduction to Practice and Principles and Painting Terms and Tips
Summarize the study and write a conclusion.