Qiang Huang, a prolific painter and
art instructor, will be teaching a Still Life workshop at Whidbey Island FineArt Studio in May 2013. Qiang’s paintings show remarkable accuracy under lush
brush strokes. This is partly due to his focus on light distribution as well as
his manipulation of values, colors, and edges.
Many years ago, Qiang watched a
video with David Leffel painting Still Life. David talked about the importance
of using a natural north light when painting. Wanting to have as natural north
light as possible to paint by, Qiang set out to find an artificial light that
would replicate natural north light.
Qiang
began to experiment with lights. He discarded using a fluorescent light because
it does not have a continuous spectrum light like the sun, so it does not give
the color accuracy of the pigment. Instead, Qiang focused on tungsten and
halogen lights. He discovered that the best solution was to use Philips’
Natural Light Plus (Par 16 Flood), 60W and add color correcting light filters.
These
blue tinted transparencies are easy to use. You simply clip the filter on the
reflector of your lamp. Once you do this, you have created your own north
light. You can read more about creating your own north light and ordering color
correcting light filters on Qiang Huang’s website.
Qiang
shared with us a little more about his painting.
What
is your standard palette of colors?
My Palette: Naples Yellow, Yellow
Ochre, Cadmium Yellow Light, Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Red Light, Alizarin
Crimson, Transparent Oxide Red (or Burnt Sienna), Ultramarine Deep, Phthalo
Blue, and Titanium White. I like Rembrandt oil colors, but other brands are
fine too. I use Winton as well.
What
type of canvas do you use?
I like to use primed and stretched
canvas. I also use canvas panels from RayMar, or loose canvas. I do not use
paper backed canvas panels. They are too absorptive.
What
kind of medium do you use?
Most of the time, I don't use any
medium. I use paint directly out of the tube. I occasionally use Liquin if I
want the painting dry faster. I use mineral spirit to wash my brushes.
Do
you use retouch varnish when your paintings are dry to the touch?
Yes, I do. I use Demar retouch
varnish spray a week after the painting is done. If I have the painting more
than three months, I coat the painting with a permanent varnish with a soft
brush.
