Tip of the month – December 2007
|
When mixing a secondary color, you quickly discover that not all colors are equal for the task. In the painting OCTOBER, I was looking for the warm orange glow that I associate with autumn. Orange can scream at you from the painting’s surface. I was looking for more subtlety in the color.
|
|
|
Cadmium Orange is an opaque and intense orange. Applied directly, it has a flat appearance.
|
With an underwash of yellow, the Cadmium Orange is no longer flat.
|
|
On the left, each of the colors has been mixed with Aureolin on the palette. On the right, each of the same colors has been mixed with Gamboge on the palette. If within the two colors in the mix there is a third color (hidden blue), the resulting color will be less intense.
In this example, I have applied a wash of Gamboge. While it was still wet, I charged in Cadmium Orange, Vermilion, Cadmium Red, Permanent Rose, and Alizarin Crimson. This technique helps to create a glow.
|
|
In this example, I have applied a wash of Gamboge. While it was still wet, I charged in Cadmium Orange, Vermilion, Cadmium Red, Permanent Rose, and Alizarin Crimson. This technique helps to create a glow.
|
Cadmium Orange on white
|
Cadmium Orange on black
|
Cadmium Orange on a middle value gray
|
Cadmium Orange on a light value gray
|
These four examples show how the value or tone in the background can change the appearance of a color. I have used the same orange square in each of the images.
|
Orange on red
|
Orange on pink
|
Orange on beige
|
Orange on yellow
|
In these four examples, you can see how the choice of background color can change the appearance of a color. Again, I have used the same orange square for each of these images.
When deciding a background color and value, try testing the look of your color as I did in the above samples.
|
More Tips
For more information join Barbara's "tips" mailing list.
|
