The use of light and shadow in Carol Harrison’s acrylic paintings create a sense of timelessness and make everyday objects and scenes transcend the commonplace. To see more of her art, please visit her website.
“Duke’s Turf” Acrylic, 14″ x 16″
When searching for a subject that I think will make a great painting, I look for contrast. I am always drawn to light, shadow, and interesting shapes.
“After the Shearing” Acrylic, 18″ x 18″
Taking time to get to know my subject includes noticing the interplay of light and shadow over the areas, including what is in shadow, giving me a pretty good idea of the complete painting before I pick up a brush. It has to feel right. Throughout the process, if I have the sense of anticipation, I know I can make it “click”- relating how I feel about the subject though my work.
“Quiet Window At Prallsville Mill” Acrylic, 12″ x 12″
Frequently I find subjects for my paintings during expeditions on vacations. I am a studio painter, so once I find that ”next painting” I take a multitude of digital images, often at different times of the day at every angle I can get.
“Grandma Kelley’s Kitchen Drawer” Acrylic, 15″ x 20″
Almost always, a completed painting is a combination of several photos, or perhaps just a piece of one photo.
“Greasing Old Joints” Acrylic, 18″ x 24″
Organizing my thoughts while sifting through the photos, I start with a general blocking of lights and darks to establish composition. I find the blocked area much less intimidating than a solid white space.
“Old Camping Pals” Acrylic, 16″ x 20″
Acrylics are my chosen medium, and I find it suits my style of work best, as I change color ranges and intensities often. Underpainting and dragging lighter colors over it establishes color subtleties that really inspire me, and adds texture, volume and strength to the subject.
“Pittstown Memory Lane” Acrylic, 12″ x 15″
The surface that I best like to work on is an archival pre-painted gesso board, chosen for no other reason than I prefer a hard surface rather than the “bounce” you sometimes get with stretched canvas. It also is sometimes more accommodating for framing purposes.
“A Rescue Named Bear” Graphite, 11″ x 14″
My second medium is graphite, which I use for animal portraiture. I love animals, and I love working with pencil. This has been a winning combination with many who love their pets, and I do many portraits over the holidays. I prefer graphite for this because I feel I can best express the character of the animal through this medium.
Beautiful chicken art. I love to paint chickens two because they are like flowers in my garden.
I went to your website and saw really great colors and interpretations of our unique animals! I liked it very much. I was wondering what kind of pencil do you use?
Carol Harrison
Beautiful work…wonderful subject matter!!!
Kathryn, I am blown away from your work!
I probably could get lost in your work for several hours.
Can you share the name of your graphites and how you apply your color, as well as the board you use? My first love is acrylics, but people seem to ask for animal renderings on occasion. Not that I could ever duplicate what you do, but would love to know a little more about your technique, etc.
Carol H
A pleasure to see this light and color filled art (and learn that it is acrylic too)!
Thank you so much Joanne. It is the light/dark combination that I am so drawn to portray. I appreciate your comments!
Carol Harrison
Hello, I just would like to say you are a tremendous artist.
Coming from another artist, I really appreciate that!
On the Memory Lane painting, I really admire the background trees. That is so hazy and nice.
I just love all your painting, specially the graphite one and old Camping Pals are my favorite. You got such a beautiful sense of color which rarely others have.
Thank you so much. Old Camping Pals is one of my favorites-I think because it brings back memories of my children when they were quite young.
I was very facinated by the your work. As i went down the page and i was looking at the works of art for a moment i thought they were real pictures, then i realized they were paintings. The painting in Acrylic really give that real life feeling which makes people look at the painting longer. i can’t say which one is my favorite because they are all great paintings specially the detailed dog done in Graphite.