DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1183#0179
34 PRACTICAL HINTS ON V
the shepherds across this gulf of shadow. The second light, which is
in the lower portion of the print, he has in the next state, cut up by a
number of darks and lights, irregularly dispersed, thus conveying the
appearance of confusion and terror to the shepherds, their herds, and
flocks, which are represented flying in all directions. These two examples
out of many, which the student will discover by his own examination,
will suffice to show that light and shade may be made to contribute to the
character and fitness of the subject; and that of this adaptation of it,
Rembrandt holds unrivalled possession.
Plate VII.
When a picture is chiefly composed of light and half tint, the darks of
the figures must necessarily tell with great force, from there being so little
of half shade to rob them of their value; the mid-day sun filling with
intense light every particle of the atmosphere, gives that luminous
appearance, which is so strongly characteristic of an out of door effect,
the dark local colours of the figures, from the absorption of the rays,
retain undiminished power, and give that firmness and vivacity to the
scene which prevents it from looking feeble. In nature, figures, from their
upright position, have a greater consequence from the flat shadows being
the shepherds across this gulf of shadow. The second light, which is
in the lower portion of the print, he has in the next state, cut up by a
number of darks and lights, irregularly dispersed, thus conveying the
appearance of confusion and terror to the shepherds, their herds, and
flocks, which are represented flying in all directions. These two examples
out of many, which the student will discover by his own examination,
will suffice to show that light and shade may be made to contribute to the
character and fitness of the subject; and that of this adaptation of it,
Rembrandt holds unrivalled possession.
Plate VII.
When a picture is chiefly composed of light and half tint, the darks of
the figures must necessarily tell with great force, from there being so little
of half shade to rob them of their value; the mid-day sun filling with
intense light every particle of the atmosphere, gives that luminous
appearance, which is so strongly characteristic of an out of door effect,
the dark local colours of the figures, from the absorption of the rays,
retain undiminished power, and give that firmness and vivacity to the
scene which prevents it from looking feeble. In nature, figures, from their
upright position, have a greater consequence from the flat shadows being