David A. Leffel: Painting The Still Life Peaches With Delft Mug

This presentation will give the viewer all the secrets of how Leffel uses light, the motion of light and vibrant colors and high lights to create his breathtaking still lives. The handling of the brush, the texture of the canvas, and his own unique use of thick, rich color, are all important elements of his painting style. Leffel has every part of the canvas perfectly lit and perfectly balanced. The painting is a masterpiece!

David spends time setting up the subject, a delft mug with peaches and grapes on a piece of lace. He talks about the perspective of his subject and the reasoning behind the depth of vision he has chosen.

Leffel’s forte is lighting, motion of the light and the drama created by carefully executed shadows juxtaposed with vibrant color and brilliant highlights. He shares all his secrets with the viewer as he lays in each stroke. The handling of the brush, the texture of the canvas, and his own unique use of thick, rich color, are all important elements of his painting style.

Leffel gets into the heart of the painting astonishingly quickly; the fruits, the ripe warm peaches, and the translucent, black-red grapes begin to emerge. The subject of his work carries the light with the rest of the painting considered “background”.

When David begins painting the delft mug, he does so with cool, rich blues and thick juicy whites. The mug seems to pop out of the canvas and becomes the focal point of the painting. Everything is perfectly lit and perfectly balanced and, although this work is a demonstration piece, the painting has a beautifully finished integrity.