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Back to the Basics - Palette Talk

When i started painting i was overwhelmed with the amount of tube color out there. But I soon came to find the best color mixes are the ones you make yourselves. Greens are a prime example of this. One day I was bored and pulled out every watercolor in my paint box and do a simple color chart. This color chart is very valuable when it comes to seeing the saturation, opacity, staining quality, and any special notes or qualities that the color may have. But out of this rainbow I only use the first 11 colors on a regular basis, adding an exotic color every once in a while just to switch it up a bit. A palette is such a personal choice and not all people will be drawn to using certain colors, I use palette because of its simplicity. A warm and cool of each color and neutral mixer (burnt sienna). I am looking at switching my warm red from napthol (grumbacher) red to more of a transparent. When I was working on March of the clowns I found that this red was NOT a good glazier as it seemed to move around when additional layers were added. Over time you will find what works for you. Just remeber not every tube color is created equal either.
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  1. Teresa Palomar LoisFebruary 1, 2010 at 1:51 PM

    I feel your pain! having one of those easy-lifting pigments runing along with the layer over it.
    Loved your color chart

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eclectic Studio TammyFebruary 2, 2010 at 4:46 AM

    Thanks Teresa,
    I just love this color so much for its saturation and mixing qualities It is going to be hard to find a suitable replacment but I am open to sugestions :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Teresa Palomar LoisFebruary 10, 2010 at 8:53 AM

    I'd love to have a sugestion for a replacement but I've never used that color, I wouldn't know which other pigments look even close to it, sorry! But you could always look for the pigment at handprint and see what else you can try :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. Eclectic Studio TammyFebruary 12, 2010 at 3:59 PM

    Hi Teresa, I did just that and have ordered a scarlet :) - ill see how that works. I love the naphtol red as it makes the most amazing oranges.

    ReplyDelete

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