Painting into the Light: How to work atmospheric magic with your oil paints

I am a big fan of Jenny's work, I own several of her paintings, so I just couldn't wait to get my sticky little hands on this book. My expectations were high and I am here to tell you that I have not been disappointed! :-) One of the nicest features of this book - apart form its beauty - is its clarity. Jenny's warmth comes through as she explains her approach and how to break ideas down, step by step. The book covers a wide range of topics, from understanding different painting mediums to mastering light, composition, colour and contrast, simplification and an introduction to en plein air painting, which can feel very scary. She also shows how creative atmosphere and brush language can create the dramatic impact that's necessary in order to draw the viewer in. Jenny’s explanations are accompanied by stunning visual examples and practical exercises that encourage us to put theory into practice. What sets ‘Painting into the Light’ apart is Jenny’s warmth and straightforward approach. Rather than prescribing rigid rules, Jenny encourages readers to explore their own style and find joy in the process of painting. The book's encouraging tone and supportive guidance feels like having a trusted super talented friend by your side. Whether you're a beginner trying to grasp the basics of colour mixing or an experienced painter seeking to refine your brushwork, ‘’Painting into the Light’ generously breaks down Jenny’s magic and makes it accessible to all. Jenny is truly the queen of light - do yourself a favour and treat yourself to this beautiful book.

Full of practical advice and suggestions, and also beautiful paintings to admire, study, learn from and enjoy. As a novice in oils, Jenny’s guidance on how to better observe subjects and to compose a picture has been very helpful and I have enjoyed the exercises with visible improvements in my work. She also gives advice on equipment and materials and her enthusiasm for pleine site painting is infectious! I’m learning so much about how to achieve desired effects that I was struggling with before. Highly recommended.

This is one of the best painting books I have bought, and I’ve bought a lot. Jenny‘s paintings are stunning, and she explains in a modest and easy to follow way how she goes about creating the compositions and light effects that underpin her work. She’s created some sections that you can follow step-by-step – it’s almost like being at a demo in one of her workshops. She makes it all look so simple, but its written: presented in a way that implies she wants you to find it simple too. She is very happy to share her techniques from the beginning to the end of creating a painting. I highly recommend this book.

This book has a massive advantage over others by its monochromatic exercises. If you want to learn about painting effective tonal values from the start without the distractions, pretentious/vague language or even outright evasivness which I found trying to learn elsewhere then this book is perfect. It also assumes you have a few basic skills (drawing etc.) so you can get into the subjects and exercises without diversions. Some good practical advice offered around equipment on a realistic budget.

This is a clearly written and illustrated book on a subject that baffles many, especially beginners to painting. Jenny freely gives clear tips and learning points to help artists improve their paintings, using all her experience and practice over many years. Superb!

It’s so beautifully explained & the effects are stunning. With practical exercises as well as a detailed description of the things to consider this is book that you can use to improve your own painting skills with great effects. A beautiful gift for an oil or acrylic painter.

Good book very informative with a lot of photos for visual reference.

I have admired Jenny’s ability to capture light for a long time and I pre ordered her book Painting into the Light as soon as she let out the news of her forthcoming publication. I was not disappointed. She generously shares her knowledge and techniques demonstrating easy to follow exercises. Out of the huge pile of books I have acquired since I took up painting, this is by far the best. I don’t get on with using oils in the studio due to the solvents , even the low odour variety so tend to paint in acrylics mostly, this has by no means stopped me from learning from Jenny’s book as everything is transferable to using acrylics.

Clear instructions, along with the step-by-step photos. Highly recommend it 👍

This is a truely inspirational book with great instructions .

"Painting into the Light" by Jenny Aitken is a captivating guide that delves into the nuances of painting light with oil paints. Aimed at intermediate artists, this book offers a wealth of knowledge on capturing the essence of light in various settings, both indoors and outdoors. Aitken, renowned for her ability to depict light on water, provides detailed instructions on simplifying images, controlling tones, and creating atmospheric depth. The book is not just a technical manual; it’s an invitation to explore the magic of light and its transformative power in art. The layout is designed to impart as much of Aitken's expertise as possible, making it a valuable resource for artists looking to enhance their skills.

画家の綺麗に整理されたアトリエから 自作した金属のパレットボックス アトリエで描く為の、イーゼルの すぐ上に取り付けられたライト 実際の現場での風景とキャンバスに 描かれた作品の比較、色相環と チタニウムホワイトにペインズ・ グレーをミックスした７段階の 白からグレーのスケールと 実際の現場の持つトーンを 比較する作業、構図、色彩 コントラスト、波の繰り返す リズム、波の構造、海のパース 光と顔､森の風景、水彩画での 描写、静物画の光源とモティーフの セッティングと、構図と制作の プロセス、最後は、港の風景、空 雲の作品と成っている。視点の 移動が上手く構成されて、絵として 重要な構成要素が掲載されている。 勉強に成る本と思う。

This book has good insights and explained about tools to use for plien air painting. Must recommended.