Week 12 - Part 2 - Mastering colour
I love limited palette!
This week was actually crazy.
2 complete drawings, 3 paintings and some sketchbook work.
Hence the splitting this blog into two parts.
Three paintings in one week? This used to seem like an impossible task for me 😁
The next part of week 12 - painting with a ‘limited’ palette.
There are two types of limited palettes.
The first type is where you mix as many colours as possible but with only 3-5 colours on your palette.
The other type is to create a monochromatic painting, where you give the illusion that your painting is only one colour, but you have mixed lots of different shades of that colour.
For example, a red limited palette would be a painting created with over 100 different shades of red.
I would mix red into every colour, so there would be a massive variety of shades - brown-reds, pink-reds, orange-reds, and so on.
Ultimately, if you can master this, then you’re a pro at mixing colour and it adds the next level of sophistication to your practice.
So, I had to create 3 paintings with a limited palette. Alla Prima. And spend no longer than 2-3 hours on each.
Alla Prima - 'at first attempt'. A wet-on-wet approach whereby wet paint is applied to previous layers of still-wet paint, often in a single sitting.
First, was black-on-black.
One of the hardest things about working with so much black is ensuring that I am not left with a muddy painting.
The source image I used was literally black and white, not in colour… getting the skin colours right without colour reference was certainly a challenge, but I think I smashed it considering. (If I do say so myself lol)
Next was the same thing, but white-on-white…
2.5 hours of painting, mixing white paint into every hue.
The trick is to really utilise colour temperature to get the range of depth in the painting.
Cool whites for the background and parts of the tiger that are further away, and warm white for the face and the fur closest to us. Without this the painting would just fall flat.
Figuring out how to paint in this way is something you would actually learn in 4th year of a fine art degree, so it’s crazy to think I’ve been able to achieve it 12 weeks into this art course.
You might recognise this one if you have been around since before Christmas, or following me on socials.
He is one of my favourite pieces and shows up in many ways across my platforms 🥰
“Untamed”
16” x 20” - Oil on stretched canvas
You can watch the process video here.
Limited palette of dreams 😍 Alla prima in just 2.5 hours.
I love his moss-green eyes and furrowed brow.
And if you asked me 12 weeks ago what I could paint in 2.5 hours?
I’d have laughed and I would be sure my answer would be ‘not much’.
The final painting was in a colour of our choice.
My favourite colour has always been orange-red.
The colour of sunsets and warmth and passion. Things that glow like the sun, lava and fire.
Everything I have been trying to channel at this point is to be passionate, relentless and follow that urge that’s like a gravitational pull towards your purpose.
Portraits are something that I have struggled with so much without relying on tracing, but since that charcoal drawing I created in week 8, I feel like something has finally clicked.
I have been persistent but I didn’t think I would ever be at a point where portraits didn’t leave me hating art…
But there’s a fine line between love and hate 😏
Watch this little video of my portrait progression here 🥰
The fact that I get so worked up when I create a bad painting or drawing is proof that I care so much.
I have got so angry and frustrated at many points but have been so determined to get it right next time.
And then the satisfaction after I get it right?
Priceless.
I am so proud of what I have achieved this week and it brings me so much joy to share these pieces with you.
One painting at a time, I seeing the evidence that I am doing it! I am an artist and I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
I am not stopping.
So…
Be brave. Be bold. Life is too short to ignore that fire in your belly. Pour gas on it. Set it ablaze 🔥
She’s very relevant if you ask me.
’Embers Within’, 2023
16x20 - oil on canvas ❤️🔥
Watch her come to life from start to finish here.
And have you seen my ‘Untamed’ blankets? 🧡✨
Check out the testimonials from happy customers below 🥰
“I am absolutely thrilled with my beautiful ‘Untamed’ blanket!!
The print is crisp and clear, with so much detail and the fabric soft and cosy!!
It is a stunning work of art Lauren!”
“Absolutely love my 'Untamed' blanket. Looks amazing and is so soft. The detail is fantastic. Lauren is such a talent. Would highly recommend her work.”
Want to catch up on previous blog posts? Don’t forget they are now all available to read here 🥰
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