Jackie Shaw's Learn to Paint Flowers by Jackie Shaw

Author:Jackie Shaw
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing

Color Scheme Exercises

Of course, the best way to learn about painting color harmonies is to work with paint; but we needn’t be limited to that one recourse. Listed below are several activities that will joggle the color cells in your brain. You will need, in addition to your painting supplies, a stack of old magazines, photographs, postcards, a sheet of clear acetate, scissors, and a package of colored construction paper—preferably one that has a wide range of colors, values, and intensities. From the package of construction paper, select one sheet of each value and intensity for every color. Cut the sheets in half crossways. Keep one set of half-sheets to represent different background colors. Use the other set to cut into shapes in the second exercise.

Choose a background color. When you need help selecting a background color for a painting, grab your paints and make color swatches—or a quick sketch—of your intended subject on the clear acetate. Hold the acetate against various colored papers. Pick the subject/background color combination that pleases you the most and that will support the effect you wish to accomplish. Keep in mind that you will probably need to adjust the hue, value, or intensity of that background color somewhat in the actual painting. Sometimes, a slight shift in value or intensity means the difference between a background color that supports your design and one that competes with it. Wipe the acetate clean to reuse.

Collect colors. Start a collection of travel and art postcards and photographs. Collect not only pictures with color schemes that please you but also ones that would cause you to broaden your taste for other color harmonies. You’ll be surprised at how inspiring it can be to have a ready supply of color schemes.

Keep a notebook. Keep a looseleaf notebook in which you paste snips from magazines, ads, wallpapers, printed fabrics, wrapping papers, and so on. Or attach them to large poster boards. Try to analyze each entry to see what it is about that particular combination of colors that tickles your fancy. The more you analyze your reaction to the colors you see used together, the more at ease you’ll become in creating your own color harmonies.

Take note. Buy a set of colored pencils and a small sketchbook. Carry them with you on trips across country, around the world, or just to the garden, local nursery, or museum. Make notes of interesting color combinations.

You will need:

• Craft clay or Play-Doh (clay should be a solid color)

• A light source (flashlight, desk lamp, table lamp, sunlight through a window)

• Toothpick or small twig

• Colored papers

• An orange and/or assorted objects and fruits

• A value scale (see page 29)

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