Part 3: Colour Your World In Art Paintings - Choosing Colours

What has always fascinated me about paints is the way you can blend them to create new colors. I have sat for hours with my palette and created many different colors all from three basic, primary colors. To me it was like opening a present to see what would happen if this color was blended with that color. By the time I was done, my palette had the makings of an English garden in full bloom, not to mention the exotic birds contained within.

There are stunning portraits and eye stopping canvases being created all the time with color. This does not have to be the case. The portrait can be just as stunning when done with the absence of color. Black and white always gets your attention.

Do not ever worry about whether something looks right or not. As one professional art teacher always stated, there are never any mistakes on the canvas, just happy accidents.

There is one thing you should remember when painting art, keep the darks to the shadows. This means you can use the darker colors as a base for the lighter ones and the subject matter will actually shadow it's self. Of course, if you cover the entire dark area with the lighter color then adding the dark background is a mute point.

There are so many things which can be done with color. I once did an entire landscape using two colors, white and prussian blue. It was a snow scene centered around a lake. I have to admit, it was beautiful. I am not the only one who thought so. I had it done exactly one hour and someone walked in and bought it right off the easel.

No where in the world is the statement “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” more true than in the art world. I have no desire to own a Picasso. To be honest, Norman Rockwell is more my style. In the world of art, there has to be something for everyone. That is what makes it such a grand adventure. Every one has the ability to shine.

Colors allow you to turn a forest into a fall scene. Colors are what make certain portraits more noticeable than others. For instance, Thomas Kinkade has become one of the foremost artist's in this decade. He uses lighting and a warm color palette to create a canvas you would love to walk into. You can see more of Kincade's work at his web site, Thomas Kincade Gallery.

Never underestimate what colors can do to an image. Always remember your lighting as well.

Oil Painting Lessons - Drawing Lights and Shadows

In the real world, the light comes from one main direction. This is the rule. Even if you are outdoors, the light from the sun comes at you from East to West. Depending on where you are during the day will determine where the shadows are. This is the same with painting.

You must always determine where your light source is coming from. Once you have done this, keep it consistent. It will show quickly if you have a subject standing on one side of the canvas with the light dancing off her hair from the left and on the other side of the canvas the table has light streaming in from the right.

You can help to keep the light source in the proper perspective in painting by setting a light where ever you are going to have it shine from. If you choose to have the light source come from the right of the painting, then set a light to the right of your canvas. Keep the light source in your studio the same as the light source in your painting. This can assist you in keeping shadows where they need to be and reflective light where it should be.

The light source will fade as it travels across the canvas. In some paintings, it will fade quickly. This will depend on the subject and type of painting you are doing. You may want to splash a sunset across the canvas. There will be shadows, and dark ones, where the light source starts to fade.

To understand how crucial lighting is in a painting, set up a still life on a table. Nothing fancy, just a few pieces of fruit in a bowl or a vase of flowers will do. Now get bare 60 watt light bulb to set around the table. Start on your left. See where the light glistens off the surface of the subject. Notice where the shadows are. See how the light fades across the scene.

Move the light to the back, front, and other side to notice all the angles. This will give you a good idea how light works on a subject. You can even simulate high noon by suspending the light bulb from up above. Placing a sheet or other translucent material between the light and the table will show you the affects of an overcast day or diffused lighting.

You can become familiar with lights and shadows the more you do this. By using different test models, you will begin to understand how curves, reflective surfaces, and other things can affect the light. This will enable you to capture it more accurately on your canvas.

If you thought all you needed to do was buy some paint, a brush, and a canvas to start painting you were right. To be really good at it takes some thought and planning. Even a few exercises in painting techniques will be necessary to create a good work of art.

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