Caravaggio was a master of chiaroscuro and his naturalistic painting style was in direct contrast to the idealistic views during the Renaissance. This was quite effective in his religious, narrative paintings as the apostles and disciples were depicted as human instead of “godly” or mythical beings.

Sometimes he controlled the light source and light direction by blocking much of the strong light flooding in through a window or a door. Other times, he used candles to light his subjects. The areas of the subject nearest to the candlelight are very brightly lit and everything else rapidly turns into the shadow (since the light dissipates very quickly). Notice how the reflective light is minimized. Caravaggio often surrounded his subjects with dark cloth or dark walls in order to diminish any bounced light onto his subject.

This type of set-up is a very effective way to create a strong design and lead the viewers eye across the tableau. James Gurney writes more about chiaroscuro in his wonderful blog (which you should be following if you’re not already doing so). I’m far from a narrative painting (though sketchbooks are a great way to work out some of these ideas), but I’m using the opportunity of having access to such a wonderful studio to paint some subjects under dramatic lighting this summer. Plus, there are no city or street lights to get in the way of my shadows up here!

Drawing in Charcoal, Mucha

Mucha at Work

Not only was Alfons (also spelled as Alphonse) Mucha an excellent draughtsman, but he excelled in design and the decorative arts.  Though he is more notably known for his work in poster design, illustration and advertising, his brilliant eye for design and composition paired with exquisite line work in both his more traditional paintings and drawings and in his illustrative posters allowed him to successfully merge the two areas of art and design in the style we now know as Art Nouveau.

France Embraces Bohemia, oil painting by Mucha

Just like many artists of the time, he travelled to Paris in 1887 to further develop his art training in one of the many Parisian academies or ateliers alongside with some of the best artists in the 19th Century.  

Self Portrait, oil

He became a student at the Academie Julien and the Academie Colarossi (sculpture based training).  

painting in oil, Mucha

oil painting, Mucha

During his studies, Mucha produced magazine illustrations and advertising most likely to help pay for his studies and living expenses in Paris.  Not only did he create a multitude of posters and advertisements for the theatre, but this prolific Czech painter produced numerous works of art and continues to influence generations of artists, painters, graphic designers, designers, lettering/typography and draughtsmen today.

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Relevant links:
Mucha Museum online
The Official Mucha Website
Images – The Olga Gallery

Other blog posts on Mucha:
Lines and Colors
The Artistic Anatomy Blog, Mucha’s “France Embraces Bohemia“