Brilliance | Painting of Sunlight in PNW Forest

By Artbycedar

Here is “Brilliance.”

Brilliance. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

In this painting, I re-visited the same group of trees that I painted in my previous painting “Branches Glowing.”

Branches Glowing. 36″ x 12″, Oil on Canvas, © 2020 Cedar Lee

I painted the previous painting, above, mostly with palette knives to give a rough, loose feeling with thick texture to the paint.

Detail: Brilliance. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

In contrast, this iteration is more detailed and more refined, painted with small brushes to show the many crisscrossing branches and twigs.

Detail: Brilliance. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

One of my favorite things to observe is the sun coming through the branches of trees in the forest, when it is directly behind the edge of a tree trunk.

Art in artist’s studio: Brilliance. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

The powerful light glowing around the edge of the tree makes it visually disappear into the light.

Brilliance. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

The smaller branches back-lit by the sun are lit up so brightly that they shine white.

Detail: Brilliance. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

This painting is golden and warm, the yellow in the background creating a pleasing contrast against the cool lavender-gray of the tree trunks.

Brilliance. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

The small branches form interesting geometric shapes in the negative spaces between them.

Detail: Brilliance. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

The vertical format of this painting makes it perfect to hang on a narrow wall as an elegant statement piece. It will bring a joyful, sunny feeling to any room.

Artist with art: Brilliance. 36″ x 12″, Acrylic on Canvas, © 2022 Cedar Lee

Contact me if you’re interested in the original or a print of this painting!