A certain mood or patterns of lights and dark. A focus of mine has been the depiction of light in my compositions. I always look for an interesting arrangement of light and shadow to add drama and excitement to the pictorial elements. I want my paintings to radiate light from within. Capturing the essence of atmosphere is the unique challenge of painting outdoors.
Shadows are in a higher key of value and the color of objects are grayer than they seem.
I adhere to the theory of aerial perspective-that cool colors recede and warm colors advance. Distant objects are seen through layers of atmosphere that cools them and makes them lighter. I use the light in the composition to catch the viewer's eye and move it through the painting. To achieve this light, I must also define and describe the rich darks. To create the lights I must establish the contrast of the darks.