Moonpaths and Glitter Paths
New video features how I paint pathways of light reflected on water, plus hotspot priming and contre-jour lighting
I choose a simple subject to paint on Little Cranberry Island in Maine. It’s a zigzag section of a flooded gravel road, with a hot reflection from the low sun.
This video takes you through the process.
Painting by Anders Zorn (Swedish, 19860-1920)
Peder Krøyer (Danish, 1851-1909)
In Howard Pyle's story The Garden Behind the Moon, a "moon-path" is described as a magical path of moonlight on water that allows a boy to walk out over the waves. This imagery parallels the concept of glitter paths, where light creates a vertical path of reflections on the water surface.
BOOKS:
The Artist's Guide to Sketching (Releases Feb, 2025)
Also really appreciate the touching story about Howard Pyle :)
I really enjoyed this, James.The little bits of music,the voiceover,and how sometimes it was white brushed over dark and then dark brushed over white.I noticed that you weren't wearing sunglasses,no diffuser,only your cap to shade your eyes and all facing the sun,and that you put on reading glasses for the details! Wondering what Jeanette was painting off in the distance there.Just last spring my wife and started going out and painting together some which we hadn't done since we were first married 40 years ago.FUN!
Since you always have sough going on I ve often wondered if you have much time these days to just draw and paint for your own pleasure without,feeling like you have to share tho I know you enjoy sharing it.