Color Study #6 6x6

Color Study #6

Well, after posting Color Study #5, I wasn't completely satisfied with the outcome of the split complimentary study, even though I really like the painting. So instead of moving forward with the Triadic study that I had intended, I attempted another Split-Complimentary study. This time I used the colors blue-green, red, and orange. This really works for me! And the color just POPS! I'm also including the process of how I did this study, with all the steps below. I used an under-painting of each particular color's compliment. Sound confusing? Yup, it is. But I am sure happy with this one definitely! Oh, and the reference photo that I painted this from comes from the image library on Wetcanvas by Fagan, called "Blue Plate Special"


First, I painted an underpainting of each color's compliment.....

then I began adding red for the table and establishing a bit of the blue-green plate.

adding highlights and shadows....

filling in the fruit with shades of oranges...

Finished painting!

Color Study #5

Color Study #5

This is color study #5 and I am thrilled with the outcome of this study! It is "supposed" to be a split complementary color study of Blue, Red-orange, and Yellow-orange, but I think it looks more like a regular complimentary study. My use of oranges was limited in the values and use of the orange compliments, but just the same I think it really pops! I also used a broken color method of applying the pastel, letting the underpainting of Red-orange show through the marks of blue. The source photo I took at the Pittock Mansion in Portland in the morning with cool blue lighting from a North facing window. Here are some comments from my WetCanvas friends on this piece. My next study will be on Triadic colors. Here is my palette: