I think that showing the sun in a painting is one of the most difficult challenges for an artist. There is a Bierstadt in the Buffalo Bill Historical Center here in Cody (
Island Lake, Wind River Range) that is very dramatic and beautiful. He chose to emphasize the play of light and shadow on the land. The sun is not that noticeable as it somewhat blends into the sky around it. I cannot bring myself to even hint at "improving" a Bierstadt
. Messing with the values here (darkening the sky) would really throw off the values used so effectively in the land portrayal.
However, if I had copied this painting at the class I attended at the BBHC (instead of Bierstadt's
Whyte's Lake) I would have attempted to add a bit more green in the sky outward from the sun -a green of as light a value as I could get and still hint at green. (and that probably would have been an utter failure
).
Judy, I think by narrowing the range of all other values to the dark side (oh my gosh, Judy went to the dark side!!!!!!!) you chose the best course. The photo sends out a siren song to darken the land, but that probably would have spoiled the effect. Super difficult subject, and the right choices on your part. Good-oh!