Bozhena Fuchs

Prague, Czech Republic, Walking through a dream, oil on canvas, 16 x 12" (40 x 30 cm)

Finalist My Inspiration

As the rain stopped and the night fell in Prague, a quiet street came to life with the shimmering reflections of streetlights on the wet road. The atmosphere was tranquil, as if the street was sleeping, leaving its parked cars to rest. This dreamlike scene inspired me to paint a nocturne cityscape that would capture the serenity and liveliness of this moment. I knew I had to capture this beauty, and so I took a few pictures to use as reference for my painting.

My Design Strategy

To convey the depth of night, I painted a dark sky that contrasted with the warm bright streetlights. I deliberately raised the horizon line to allow more space for playing with warm and cool colors, to focus on the contrasts and textures of light and dark, and wet and dry surfaces. I aimed to convey the specularity and moisture of the wet road surface, and thus enliven the night scene.

My Working Process

I started by toning the canvas and then worked wet-on-wet, using both brushes and palette knives to experiment with shades and transparency, layering colors and textures. I did not do a preliminary sketch, as I wanted to keep the painting light and airy without getting too caught up in details or precision. The painting was completed in one sitting in a spontaneous and intuitive way. Through my working process, I aimed to convey the dreamlike and peaceful atmosphere of the night street, using contrasts and textures to bring life to the painting. It is my tribute to the beauty of the night and to the way it transforms the city into a dreamlike experience.

Contact Details

» Email: bozhenafuchs@gmail.com » Website: www.bozhenafuchs.com