Experimenting with Black Light Painting

In the summer last year I came across an article in Artist's Magazine by Tom Bacher, who creates beautiful landscapes using phosphorescent and fluorescent paints.  Here is a link to his website: www.tombacher.com.  Because of the properties of these paints the paintings continue to emit light after the lights have been turned off, or under black light.  Mr. Bacher corresponded with us and we were delighted to learn that he had visited Wickenburg and had painted the Saguaro Theater. 

This assignment was a challenge for the students because they drew the city buildings in 2-point perspective, which makes the buildings look three-dimensional.  The students used both types of paints, as well as metallic colored pencils to color their drawings.  The photos show the original drawing, followed by the drawing under black light.  I cropped the photos in Adobe Photoshop and where noted with an AF I used Photoshop Auto Fix setting.  This setting actually gives a better idea of what the painting looks like under black light or just after turning out the lights.

Some of the artwork:

Alex 1 with black light below

 

 

 

Chase with black light below

 

 

Jazmin 1 below

 

 

 

Jazmin 1 with black light below

 

 

Jazmin with black light and Auto Fix

 

 

 

Olivia 1 below with black light next

 



 

Sierra 1 with  black light following

Victoria 1 with black light following

 

 



 We hope you enjoy these artworks.  The classes had a lot of fun painting and then turning off the lights in order to see their work under black light.