Diane McClary: Beavertail Cactus

Painting a subject without a spotlight, or direct sunlight from one direction can be very difficult.

This DVD again approaches a "prickly" subject, but in a different way from her other plein air DVDs. This Beavertail Cactus was painted while almost entirely in shade in the early morning, which brings you so much information about the cool colors of the shade, and how to still provide warm and cool contrast when the light is indirect.

Painting shadows in a scene that is in shadow requires particular attention in color mixing, so this DVD covers it in detail.

Diane also reiterates the use of simplification to paint the thorns and texture of the prickly foliage.

There is much information here which can be applied to many other subjects.