Reflections of an Eggplant [oil, 6”x8”]

We continued our weekend workshop by setting up a simple little still life each.  I chose an eggplant, which I thought would be simpler than my striated apple ;-).   It was somewhat simpler but I found it fascinating that a great eggplant only reveals a little bit of it’s purple hide at a time!  Of course the lighting is somewhat controllable with my nifty Home Depot clamp on trouble lamp.  I set it up close to the left hand side of the eggplant and set to work.  The reflections are amazing!  They define the shape and the form, dulling and cooling gradually as they fall away from the light.  Then you have the funny things – like the reflected red of the background fabric and the warmish white of my roll of paper towel sitting just out of sight on the right.  Fascinating!  I thought this was done but I’m going to set it up again tomorrow and see whether I got the right value in the shadow – I’m guessing I’m off by at least two…  I learned SO MUCH this weekend.  Cheers!