Painting and the Light in Cyprus
In this blog post, read artist Sarah Fenwick’s thoughts about the light in Cyprus and painting.
One stormy, overcast winter afternoon half a lifetime ago, my friends and I drove around a mountain bend, and there in front of us on the dark road, there was a glorious spot of light and a rainbow arching from its center.
We drew a collective breath during the moment of awe and it was the first time I realised how beautiful the light is in Cyprus. Nature’s spotlight takes on a new meaning here. It can be raining on one side of the road and sunny on the other side at the same time.
Plein air painting is a challenge in winter because the light changes quickly and in summer, it is often too hot to work outdoors. The sweet spot is springtime when there is plenty of light but no glare. It’s best to take photos of the landscape to capture moments of light play.
I’ve noticed that watercolours do a good job of keeping the translucency of Cyprus light. Pen and ink work well for urban landscapes here. Oil and acrylic paints would not be translucent enough unless working with a unique technique that retains luminosity, something I’m going to think about.
Spring is getting closer, I’m excited by the idea of taking a watercolour box to do sketches and paint the flowers I find in the market or in the fields. Last year, I painted lilies, you can see one of the versions below. Flowers are light captured in a translucent petal.
Compare the painting above with the one below. It’s the same subject in oils. The colours are more saturated but less transparent.
This spring, I’ll be looking for poppies, daisies, and other wildflowers dancing in the light, and look forward to sharing the paintings with you.
The light in Cyprus
Cyprus is a country renowned for its natural beauty and one of its most enchanting features is undoubtedly its light. The warm Mediterranean sun casts a unique and ever-changing light across the island, creating a breathtaking array of colors and shadows that artists can’t help but be inspired by. From the intense blue of the sea to the soft pastels of a sunset, the light in Cyprus is a painter’s paradise.
For artists seeking to capture the beauty of Cyprus’ light, I suggest driving around the countryside between Larnaca and Limassol, where they’ll find a variety of landscapes, from seascapes to open meadows and mountain scenes.
Watercolorists will really enjoy all the light, especially when the days grow longer. While pen and ink work well for urban landscapes, watercolours are great too. Working with oil or acrylic paints can be a bit more challenging as they can be less translucent, but there are techniques that can be used to retain luminosity in the final piece, such as adding thinning mediums or water in the case of acrylics. As an artist, it’s important to experiment with different techniques to find what works best for capturing the essence of Cyprus’ unique light.
During the short spring season in Cyprus, between March 1st and the beginning of May, the mountains and meadows come to life with colorful wildflowers such as endemic Cyprus poppies and all kinds of daisies. If you’re lucky, you’ll find orchids as well. For many artists, this is a favorite subject to paint as the translucent petals of the flowers capture the unique light of the island, creating a stunning array of colors and textures. Cyprus’ springtime is particularly wonderful for capturing the beauty of these blooms, which dance in the light and draw the attention of artists seeking to showcase the island’s natural spotlight.
In conclusion, Cyprus’ light is truly a unique and breathtaking phenomenon that artists have been inspired by for centuries. Whether working with watercolors, pen, and ink, or oils and acrylics, artists must experiment with different techniques to capture the essence of this natural beauty. The coming of spring provides a perfect opportunity for artists to explore the beauty of Cyprus’ light through painting and share their stunning creations with the world.