Rocks amongst clouds (2010)
Photography

This photograph shows a stalagmite rock formation in the midst of a sea of clouds, framed by the leaves of a pine tree on the right. It was taken at Monkey’s Peak in Mount Huangshan, China, in the early morning about an hour after sunrise.

Due to the timing that the photograph was taken, there is still a bluish tinge to the whole scene, which is actually the effect of light of the half-risen sun. The clouds are floating between the valleys of the rock formations in the distance, and appear to be like a ‘sea’ of clouds. On the large rock on the extreme left, the rock formation on top of it appears to be that of a monkey gazing down at the sea of clouds beneath it, which gives rise to the name of the peak this photograph was taken from.

This artwork shows the side view of a colorful eagle standing on a rock in the middle of the ocean with the sunset in the background. It was done using poster paints with a mixture of warm and cool colors used.

This artwork reflects the Impressionists style with the bright and colorful palette used for the eagle’s body, which seem to make it stand out more as compared to the background. The eagle also appears to be three-dimensional through the use of different tones and of carefully blended color. The composition of the painting is fairly balanced.

Another evidence of the Impressionists style is the lack of realism in the artwork in terms of the colors used for the eagle and the sunset. Swift and broken brushstrokes are also applied in impasto style for the background as well as the feathers of the eagle, which are made obvious by the swift brushstrokes of pure white at its chest. The eagles’ eyes also give a look of alertness and curiosity; similar to that of an animal that has just spotted its prey.