Lessons Learnt

Venice at Rest
28.5cm x 38cm
(thanks to Ruth Archer for peaceful reference photo)
This is the latest painting (completed today) where I have used the lessons learnt from the recently completed Paint with Colour Confidence course. Over the six weeks of study and homework I formed a new palette of just six primaries 2 yellow, 2 red and 2 blue. I have continued with my selection and have found I have been able to create such a big range of colours and values so that I have not had to open any of my other dozens of pigment.
I think the idea is to work with the same colours and get to know them so well and then maybe change one or two of your choices for a whole new range. I am including this image that shows six very different paintings that I have created in the last couple of weeks using this palette of Quinacrodone Gold, Winsor Yellow, Winsor Red, Permanent Rose, French Ultra Marine Blue and Antwerp Blue.

Comments

  1. Events are just so spooky sometimes. I had the very same idea last night to explore how to paint with just three primaries. So it was interesting to read this today. I too work with a limited palette most of the time to understand more fully what each colour's characteristics are. So same wave length perhaps but shame the outcome is not the same. lol. ;-) I love your work and you know I regard it as being up there with the best of them...

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  2. It's hard to believe you only used six colors Lorraine. Your paintings are full of color! It gives me something to think about, I use too many! Beautiful depth in your latest work.

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    1. Thanks Celia, the key is to have a warm and cool of each

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  3. It is amazing to see what can be done with a limited range of colors. I love the painting of Venice...a spot near and dear to my heart. I think the more color choices we have the less harmony our paintings have. Nice group!!! Who did you take the course with?

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    1. Hi Joan, It was with Carol McIntyre- Paint with Color Confidence, a very well worthwhile course www.celebratingcolor.com

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  4. I think we all use too many colors, and then minimalize after we buy all those lovely colors and find we don't need them. Your paintings show the beauty of a simplified palette - one I began with but then got color crazy! I have learned to mix more of my colors now but some of those beauties just have to be on the palette for pops of unusual color at times :)

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    1. Sounds like a right balance Rhonda, thanks for stopping by

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  5. Congratulations to the soft and exquisite atmosphere of your Venice!
    I love use a few colors, working with only three or only six primary,three pairs of primary cool and three pairs of primary warm).

    The knowledge of many colors needed for me to establish even the subtle differences between these three or six colors.
    Among the three or six colors chosen, the criteria for color temperature, transparency, translucency and opacity staining intensity granulation of pigments which are so different according to the different brand, also create huge differences in works where I used only three colors.
    Unfortunately the only way to know at least once ... it's buy the color for know!

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    1. You are right Rita, at least by limiting to the six primaries and working with the same for a whiule you can get to know all their properties

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  6. I always try to use as few colours as possible in a painting and it generally pays off. My trouble is that I buy colours for courses and then they are left in a box, so sometimes I introduce a different blue, or red. You are very versatile and love the selection of paintings here.

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    1. Amazing isn't it Polly how we never seem to find two instructors who use the same colours, the manufacturers must be laughing

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  7. Lorraine - this is lovely. I like the colors you have chosen. What a great lesson to be learned about keeping to just a few colors and making them work in a full range...thank you for sharing. Hope you have a great week-end. Always love seeing your art...thanks for sharing.

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    1. I appreciate the lovely wishes you send my way Debbie

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  8. I often wonder if I should work like this too Lorraine... I rarely use more than 5 or at most 6 colours, often only 3 or 4, in any one painting and decide before I start which I am going to use but am afraid I am such a colour flirt and actually enjoy looking for new and sometimes unusual combinations.... not sure this course would be for me then. I still do my colour planets and often find a combination doesn't quite work for me and it can be something very simple like raw sienna instead of quin gold, or burnt sienna not light red but it often makes such a difference to the effect I want.
    The paintings are lovely and shows just what can be achieved with a limited palette.

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    1. Love that phrase Judith - a colour flirt!

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    2. Was thinking I might use it in my next blog Lorraine!! Will link back to what you have done here as well!!

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  9. Lorraine, your growth and diversity as an artist never cease to thrill me. These are all so nice, and the benefits you have derived from your latest course are obvious and exciting.

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    1. Thanks Terry I wonder about my diversity - flitting here there and every way but I think it keeps me inspired, motivated and adds to improving all skills. Guess one day I may settle but not yet

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  10. Wow Lorraine, this is so interesting. It's great you got so much out of the workshop. Those 6 colors do sound very exciting to combine. Just wonderful results.

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    1. Thanks Sherry, having a lot if fun learning the properties as I continue to paint with just these for the moment

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    1. Thanks for visiting me Rachel and taking the time to comment, I really love getting them

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  12. Hello Lorraine:) Your painting of Venice is just beautiful. How amazing you made such beautiful paintings with only 3 primaries! Thank you for sharing this very interesting information!

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  13. Great post, Lorraine. I'm afraid I'm guilty of being a colour-junkie. I have so many palettes it gets confusing sometimes. The range of colours you've got in your paintings with only your six primaries is astounding. Thanks for sharing this. Time to have a review of my colours, I think. I'm not sure I could manage on six, but I do know I should cut back.

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