OMG!! Change my Palette, NEVER!! - Painting & Drawing Tips

Do you have a favourite Pallete?

Working in: Watercolour, Acrylic, Oil, Pastels, or Pencils - Do you reach for the same colours all the time or do you  make changes??

What's Happening with Your Palett?

I have my favourite colours.  I have many reasons for those colours - they reflect my passion, they seem to mix well together, but mostly I know what they do and what makes them happy.  

Yes, I have a big palette with lots of colours in it.  I have a basket full of tubes of paint.  I don't even want to think about how much money is sitting there.  But when I look at the tubes and my paint trays I see many that are untouched.  

Is that your tray as well?

I have taken some classes and followed some blogs, attended tutorials and bought their colours. You probably have done the same thing.  But afterwards you went back to your pallet and they were forgotten.  

I have started making some changes. 

My motivation comes from two directions: I am ready to try something new and I want to use some of those expensive paints that sit in my paint tray.  (Ok, I guess I am a little frugal too.) However, just dropping in a new colour into a "Masterpiece" that is well underway, may not be a good time for making that change.  

Rocks and Small Waterfall - The Cobalt Teal Blue makes for different colours of rocks the blend well with the moss.  

How to Test Run a New Colour

The first thing is to do colour samples using your new colour and mixing it with some of your old ones.  That, I think is a universal thing.  But I find it only tells me part of the story.  

I like to see my new colour in action. . . .

As you know, I am a wildlife artist and I like to paint my animals in natural settings.  So painting nature is my testing ground.  I take my sketchbook and start drawing.  Weather permitting I will go out to sketch.  

HARBOUR SEAL: SUNBATHING - I love the way Phthalo Blue and Cadmium Orange make such  interesting mixes of greens, golds and rusts in this picture

Cadmium Orange was a new colour I added not too long ago.  

I love the nice opaque orange it produces. But when thinned, it makes some nice yellows and golden tones.  And of course mixed with Permanent Rose or my yellows I got some very exciting oranges. 

PUMPKINS ON THE SHELF - Just loved the orange mixes with Cadmium Orange as the starter. 

Cobalt Teal Blue is also quite new to my palette.  

I like mixing it with my yellows to make that cool, limey green of the moss and leaves.  I like using it as a glaze over my other greens.  It seems to brighten them up and cool them off at the same time.  And note in my little creek bed painting above, how mixing it with a touch of burnt sienna makes for very interesting rock colours that blend with my greens.  

Adding a colour here or there to my palette has proven to be a bonus for me.  Bringing it in slowly, trying it in different situations has really helped me to understand what it can do and how it can fit into my world.  It takes time, but for me it has been worthwhile.  

Have you given a new colour a try lately? How do you give it a Test Run?

Wendy is on Youtube:
Wendy has FREE Tips & Techniques on Video now, many with supporting blog posts and FREE download PDF's.  

See a full linked listing here - artbywendy.com - workshop - Videos by Wendy

OUTDOOR SKETCHING SEASON  is HERE!!

Next Sessions:  Wednesday, June 16 & Saturday, June 19 

10am - 12:30pm 

Upcoming Dates: Wednesday  June 23 & June 30
Saturday, June 26

Twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, I will take small groups out for Outdoor Sketching.  Get Tips and Techniques for Sketching in Nature.  Beginners to Advanced Welcome. Max. 3 per class. (Other times available upon request) 

Mediums supported: pencil, pen, watercolour, watercolour pencils and coloured pencils 

Location: Parks in North Surrey and Langley

Cost: $50 per session

Supplies: Bring your own supplies, don't hesitate to contact me about your supplies

Rainy Days: Not fun to plein air in the rain.  You can defer to another available day or join me in my studio and work with me. (when Covid rules allow small inside gatherings) 

Contact Wendy to Book Your Spot!! 

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Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

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Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy