In this chapter, we'll begin in the studio, where I can guide you through the colors I use and how I achieve the vibrant mixes that bring life to outdoor scenes. I've prepared my palette with a limited selection of five colors plus white, which I'll explain in detail. Before diving into mixing, let's clarify some essential terms: 'value' refers to a color's lightness or darkness, akin to where it falls on a grayscale; 'hue' is the name of the color on the color wheel, such as yellow or yellow-green; 'saturation' describes a color's intensity or purity; and 'temperature' indicates a color's warmth or coolness, with warm tones leaning towards yellow and orange, and cool tones towards blue. In the studio, I use a glass palette with a neutral gray surface for optimal mixing, but outdoors, I prefer the practicality of a wooden palette. Using a limited palette is advantageous, especially for plein air painting, as it minimizes the weight of your gear while still allowing for a vast range of color mixes. I'll share the specific colors I carry and how to mix them effectively, starting with titanium white for its opacity and affordability, and moving through a selection of Rembrandt colors that offer flexibility and depth. Let's explore how mastering these elements can enhance your painting experience and help you capture the light beautifully in any scene.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
Combine red and blue to create your darkest dark. This will serve as a base for your shadows.
Create Secondary Colors
Mix lavender, orange, and green as your secondary colors. These will help in capturing the variety of hues in the scene.
Mix Warmer Green
Combine blue and yellow with a larger proportion of red to create a warmer green. Lighten this mixture slightly for use in your painting.
Prepare Mid-tone and Highlight Greens
Mix gray with lemon yellow for mid-tone areas of the trees. For highlights, add Naples yellow to the gray and lemon mixture to create a warm, light green.
Establish Cliff Face Value
Determine the average value of the cliff face and mix accordingly. Plan to add variety once the paint sets.
Mix Darker and Lighter Grays
Create a darker gray for deeper areas by adding warmth. For a cooler gray, mix ultramarine blue with gray and white.
Create Grayed Orange
Mix gray with orange for elements like trees and moss. Adjust the saturation and value for lighter areas.
Mix Light Rock Colors
Combine gray, white, Naples yellow, and red for the light areas on rocks. Ensure warmth to avoid making them too light or cool.
Prepare Water and Shadow Colors
Mix blue with gray and white for water in shadow. Add Naples yellow and a touch of orange to gray it down slightly.
Mix Cooler Green
Combine blue and yellow with Naples yellow for a cooler green, suitable for background trees.
Pro tipPre-mixing colors creates approximations that can be adjusted as needed to match the scene more closely.
Embark on your painting journey by carefully selecting your palette colors. Start with the primary colors—yellow, red, and blue—along with titanium white for versatility. Enhance your palette with cheater colors like Naples Yellow Deep and Cold Gray to subtly adjust warmth and saturation. As you mix your darkest darks and secondary colors, remember to keep your palette organized and clean for vibrant results.
As you progress, explore the nuances of color mixing by adjusting temperature and value. Use complementary colors to tone down overly vibrant hues and experiment with a limited palette to discover new color combinations. This practice not only simplifies your process but also enhances your understanding of color harmony. When painting outdoors, ensure you have the right tools and setup, including a toned canvas and a stable umbrella, to create a conducive painting environment.
Finally, capture the essence of your chosen scene by sketching thumbnails and making detailed observations. Use these sketches to refine your composition and focus on the elements that captivate you most. By transferring your design thoughtfully onto the canvas, you ensure that your painting reflects the unique beauty of the scene. Remember, each step in this journey is an opportunity to deepen your skills and express your artistic vision.
Points to remember
Always carry your primary colors and titanium white for a versatile palette.
Use Naples Yellow Deep to add warmth and lightness without altering saturation.
Clean your palette knife between mixes to keep colors vibrant.
Use the complement color to tone down overly vibrant greens.
Experiment with a limited palette to discover new color combinations.
Tone your canvas with acrylic paint to prevent wiping down to white.
Secure your umbrella to prevent your easel from tipping over.
Use thumbnails to explore different compositions before painting.
