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Daniel McKinley

Daniel McKinley

Top Featured Artist | ArtTour International NY.

Unveiling the Masterful Use of Simultaneous Contrast in Daniel McKinley’s Art

The works of Daniel McKinley are a sight to behold, with his stunning use of vibrant colors in oil on canvas creating an atmosphere that is simply mesmerizing. His architectural and interior spaces often feature an impressive mastery of simultaneous contrast, utilizing light, lines, and forms in captivating and unexpected ways. In this blog post, we will be taking a closer look at how Daniel McKinley uses simultaneous contrast in his art.

“Empty Room” Oil On Canvas by Daniel McKinley.

Daniel McKinley is an American artist known for his vibrant color works in oil on canvas. McKinley shares that his primary goal is to take the viewer to an unexpected place that offers a momentary escape from reality. This is evident in his works, where he expertly utilizes color, line, and form to create architectural and interior spaces that are both captivating and atmospheric.

McKinley draws inspiration from various sources, including nature, art history, and contemporary design. His color palette, in particular, is influenced by his love of the outdoors and the vibrant colors found in nature. 

“Framed Within” Oil On Canvas by Daniel McKinley.

McKinley’s focus has continuously returned to the physical material of his artwork, with an almost obsessive desire to create and touch his imagined forms. This pursuit led him to develop his signature style of using bright and bold colors in his paintings.

While McKinley’s art is inspired by his personal experiences and emotions, it also reflects a fascination with architecture and interior spaces. As a result, his work often features these subjects, with his unique use of color bringing them to life in vibrant and unexpected ways.

In addition to color, McKinley’s art showcases a mastery of line and form. His compositions are carefully constructed to create a dynamic sense of movement and balance, with each element working together to create a cohesive whole.

“In Exterior” Oil On Canvas by Daniel McKinley.

One of the defining characteristics of McKinley’s art is his use of simultaneous contrast. This technique involves placing opposite colors on the color wheel next to each other, creating a vibrant and eye-catching effect. This is seen throughout McKinley’s work, adding depth and energy to his vivid compositions.

Overall, McKinley’s art celebrates color, form, and emotion. It reflects his journey as an artist and his commitment to bringing joy and beauty to the world through his creations.

“Sky Blue Water III” Oil On Canvas by Daniel McKinley.

One key element that makes his art stand out is his masterful use of simultaneous contrast. In McKinley’s art, you can see this effect in full swing. His paintings feature a variety of contrasting colors that create an explosion of vibrancy. Whether it’s a fiery red and cool blue or a sunny yellow and lush green, his use of color creates an energetic atmosphere that pulls the viewer in.

Simultaneous contrast also has a symbolic meaning in McKinley’s art. For example, contrasting cool and warm colors can represent opposing emotions or ideas. This creates an exciting tension in the artwork, drawing the viewer in further to try and understand the underlying message.

McKinley’s use of simultaneous contrast is a hallmark of his style. It allows him to create eye-catching paintings bursting with life and energy. As a viewer, taking the time to understand and appreciate this technique adds a new layer of depth to his work.

Daniel McKinley’s artwork often centers on architectural and interior spaces. These subjects serve as a canvas for the artist to play with lines, shapes, and colors; the results are breathtaking.

McKinley’s architectural subjects are not just mere depictions of buildings but are carefully crafted scenes that tell a story. Whether it’s a house, a modern office building, or a bustling city street, each painting has its unique atmosphere and character.

The interior spaces McKinley portrays are equally stunning. His depictions capture the essence of each area, giving viewers a glimpse into a life that might not be their own. In these paintings, the colors and lines combine to create a sense of warmth, intimacy, and comfort.

“Structures” Oil On Canvas by Daniel McKinley.

Architecture and interior spaces are more than just a backdrop for McKinley’s paintings. Instead, they are integral to the overall effect of each piece, creating a sense of depth and complexity that draws viewers in.

McKinley’s choice of subject matter also allows him to play with the use of color. He expertly uses warm colors like reds, oranges, and yellows to create a sense of intimacy and comfort in his scenes, while cooler colors like blues and greens help to create a more somber or contemplative mood.

Overall, how McKinley uses architecture and interior spaces as the subject matter is a testament to his artistic vision. He brings a sense of depth, emotion, and beauty to even the most mundane spaces, making them a feast for the eyes and an experience for the soul.

In McKinley’s work, lines are used to convey structure and organization. Straight lines represent the rigidity of architecture, while curves can evoke a sense of movement and fluidity. He also uses lines to direct the viewer’s gaze, leading them through the space and highlighting specific details.

Forms, on the other hand, add dimension and depth to McKinley’s work. He carefully uses light and shadow to create the illusion of three-dimensional spaces on a two-dimensional canvas. Forms also convey a sense of weight and mass, giving his works a sense of solidity and presence.

Together, lines and forms in McKinley’s art create a sense of order and balance. Each element is carefully considered and placed to create a cohesive whole, resulting in an incredibly satisfying visual experience for the viewer.

While the subject matter of McKinley’s work may vary, his use of lines and forms remains consistent. His attention to detail and skillful execution are a testament to his mastery of these elements of art. Through his work, McKinley invites viewers to appreciate the beauty of the built environment and the intricate details that make it up.

Daniel McKinley’s art reflects his innate talent and mastery of color theory and simultaneous contrast. His bold and vibrant hues against one another create an energizing visual effect that draws viewers in and keeps them engaged. His attention to detail in the use of line, form, and color is what sets him apart from other artists.

Daniel McKinley

Viviana Puello
Editor-in-Chief

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Written by Viviana Puello

Viviana is a Colombo-American Artist, Curator, Writer and Advocate for the arts. Founder of Vivid Arts Network, Create 4 Peace, Artists For A Green Planet, Author of the book “Just Be Inspired,” and an awardwinning director and producer. Viviana Puello founded ArtTour International Magazine in 2011. Since then, she has served as the CEO, Editor-in-Chief, and the face for ArtTour International Magazine.
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