Comments on: Lack Of Colour Choices Will Get Your Creativity Flowing

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 00:48:29 +0000

In reply to Emem.

Hi Emem, thanks for commenting. The main advice that will really help is to squint squint squint!! That will simplify shapes and values. Squint at the subject and the piece as you work and see how they match up. Do a thumbnail – it helps get you familiar with the subject as well as getting you in the mindframe of recording something 3-D to 2-D. It also gives you an opportunity to design the piece in format and values. A viewfinder can also be really helpful. Check out my video: https://youtu.be/whh7An9bqE0
But really? SQUINT!!

By: Emem

Emem — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 09:51:45 +0000

Thank you for this gail. I agree that drawing from life is best to know tones. I tried a still life and was really discouraged at how bad it was, compared to drawing faces from pictures (which im quite good at). What would you advice? Please i really need it! Thank you.

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 05:30:39 +0000

In reply to Rita Kirkman.

Rita thanks so much for your comment!! I’m not actually familiar with John’s set – I’ll need to go find an image of it to see what colours you had available to paint with!

By: Rita Kirkman

Rita Kirkman — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 02:31:05 +0000

Great post Gail! I just happened to have done a limited-palette painting in my last workshop, with 12 sticks from the Unison John’s Set. Not quite as difficult as your tissue box 😉
Every time I actually have the time to read your blog post, I’m always glad I did! Thanks for writing and sharing!

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 18:31:45 +0000

In reply to Genie Geer.

Genie I’m with you on working with limited palettes – the limitation pushes you to be more creative. The thing about paint of course is that a few tubes of paint can create a tremendous variety and range of colour. It’s a bit more difficult with pastels but with patience and determination, the same can be done! So yes, now you!!

By: Genie Geer

Genie Geer — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 21:47:09 +0000

I think I am fairly “old school” because mixing colors from a limited palette was just the way we learned 40+ years ago. 10 yrs ago, I was taking yet another drawing/life drawing class, and foolishly praised a young man for matching the bright pink of flowers from a photo—-and then I saw his mega-pack of colored pencils…which included that exact shade. I still prefer working with limited palettes and enjoy the mixing process. My mom was a master at it; she started with oils, went on to watercolor, and ended her life painting with pastels. Now, me?

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 19:15:24 +0000

In reply to Ellen. Thanks Ellen. I find that starting out can be pretty daunting and the voices scream "it can't be done!" but by just starting, you're ahead of the game. I had no idea when I began if I could make it work but with determination and experience, I felt something might come of the experiment. :-)

By: Ellen

Ellen — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 08:15:07 +0000

Good example of working with what you have and having the confidence to succeed in making something worthwhile. Thanks for this …….a useful encouragement.