“Working with a limited palette of elements leaves a designer nowhere to hide.” ~Michael Bierut
Could this be the same for the Art World?
Ken Auster says, “When using a limited palette you solve most of your problems. You can’t mix the wrong color, although you may put it in the wrong place.”
Preferring my many colors to choose from, including Quinacridone Magenta, Green Gold, Quinacridone Burnt Orange, et cetera, et cetera, it was quite a discipline to paint the above painting with only three colors, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, and Cadmium Yellow Light. Also, added were Ivory Black, Titanium White and the pusher color Cadmium Red.
Ken Auster was correct in saying that you can’t make a bad color when mixing these colors together. Even though mud is made, focusing on edges and correct placement, the palette will be in perfect harmony.
A beginner would do well to paint with a limited pallet, especially when you add composition, stroke and value into the mix. Notice no neutrals are used, except the grey from black and white. Using neutrals when beginning isn’t necessary, since most of the time a beginner will make plenty of them on their own. Avoiding neutrals will limit the chance of the painting turning into complete mud.
Almost every color can be made with the three above colors, except Cadmium Red. Cadmium Red cannot be made. I used Cadmium Red for the pusher color. Since it is a bright it is a great color to be used for the focal point.
Another wonderful palette you can try is; Indian Yellow (preferably Daniel Smith’s brand), Permanent Rose and Thalo Turquoise, plus black and white. The pusher color could then be Mediterranean Blue. This palette is great for a cooler painting. Ivory Black and Titanium White are added to create the neutrals. They make the most wonderful opalescent colors.
Do you have a favorite limited palette you would like to share?
This is my forty-first painting of my #paint52 challenge, medium Oil on vellum, measures 14″ x 20″ price $795.00 plus Shipping and Handling.
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!
Great post Janet! Love the Daniel Smith triad with a pusher of Ultramarine blue.
Never tried the Ultramarine Blue as a pusher, sounds good. Thanks so much Shannon for sharing!
comment is….for the last three years, I have been using three colours, and titanium white.
I have had exciting results and many comments from artists and viewers alike, about
the vibrancy of my paintings.
the colours are Gamblins Transparent Orange, Phthalo Turquoise, and Grahams
Quinacridone Rose. I am STILL exploring the possibilities ofnthese colours. (spelling is
Canadian, English)
The original suggested palette was the orange, turquoise, and Gamblins Perylene Red, which
I found.good, but too warm.
Isn’t it so special……the choices we have as painters…..experimentation. and JOY, in colour!
p.s. One can make BLUES from the Rose, and the Turquoise…..astounding!
Love the discoveries! Chris C.
Thanks for the wonderful reply Chris, really curious about what you do for a yellow, when you use this pallet. Yes I love the blues created by adding Turquoise and Rose together. Also I love black with rose to show a beautiful purple maroon. I will have to check out your palette. Your paintings are beautiful!
Love your use of color!
All very interesting. It really makes a difference which primaries you use as to what colors can be the result. Hard to get a true black, but I don’t use black that much anyway. Yes, you can mix mud, but sometimes you need a little mud to offset the vibrant colors.
Janet, you never cease to amaze me. Although the above terminology is foreign
to me, whatever you’ve done to accomplish this just, well, works! Im so proud of you
and can’t believe the year is coming to a close. Seems like yesterday you set
out on this task. Much love ~ Chrissy
Hi Mary, so sorry I didn’t see your reply until now. Yes black can be made with mixing a red, a dark green and ultramarine. I find it is a richer black than out of the tube. Yes the primaries should be close to the harmony you want for the painting. SC Yuan calls the neutrals “liquid gold” and you are right you can’t have the bright sing without the neutrals.
I would love for you to make a comment on my current blog, which will be out later today evaluating my challenge. Thanks so much for your support Chrissy!