Oil painting Nightlight – glowing mushrooms

Oil painting glowing mushrooms

I’ve always wanted to paint fantasy subject. And finally I started to do it. The idea of this painting was talking to me while I looked some reference photos online. Back then I just don’t have the confidence to actually paint it.

As usual, I would like to draw a digital concept sketch to help me with the general idea and color theme.

Digital concept sketch of glowing mushrooms

Once I’m happy with the concept I move on to canvas. And start to put on some paints. Sometimes it may not go exactly as the digital concept sketch but it is OK. I realize that it is a fantasy painting that the subject doesn’t really exist. So I have to focus on the whole picture, the feelings of the painting rather than duplicate all details from references. That makes the painting process more enjoyable.

So at last I give up on those bubbles because I didn’t see anything that could generate bubbles around a log at night. 😀

And here is the final oil painting. I name it “Nightlight”. I want the mushrooms to be bright as a light. So they are not just glowing fluorescent but they can actually light up a little area. Apparently, the middle one doesn’t work. I like it. I think the broken mushroom light makes it more interesting. O(∩_∩)O

I hope you enjoy this piece too. I would like to try more fantasy subjects in the near future. I love all mystic creatures and environment.

Thank you.

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My paintings are an outlet to express the imagination I have inside my head that I can not put into words. After trying many mediums, I always find myself coming back to paint and brushes. In my current artistic practice, I use oil paint and mainly create portraits of mythical creatures and animals transfixed in the shifting colours of seascapes and landscapes. There is a natural spirit and magic to these creatures and their energy draws me in. Choosing to paint these creatures as real living wildlife rather than abstractions, I use bold and vivid colours to express the imaginary intertwined with reality, finding magic between the seams. Using a saturated colour palette, I create bold and striking imagery, contrasted between foreground and background, subject and landscape, and light and darkness. Weaving their bodies and the surface of the landscape into each other through organic forms and flowing brush strokes, I find beauty, strength and innocence in these creatures that reflect my inner world.

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