Monday, May 19, 2014

Couches and Color Palette Studies

acrylic in 5 x 7 inch sketchbook
I get the Pottery Barn catalog in the mail.  I can't afford to buy too many things from there, but their beautiful rooms full of pretty furnishings sure do provide a source of inspiration.

I think couches have their charm just as much as chairs do.  As it turns out, they are just as fun to paint.







The other night I spent an hour and half just mixing colors and then writing them down.  That is how I came up with the colors in this couch sketch.  I have never taken the time to really study color that way and right away I could see the benefits of doing it.  You can see the colors I mixed in the photo below...seven colors in all...kind of an odd combination.  When I painted the couch, I just referred to my chart and it saved a lot of time because I knew ahead of time what colors were going to go where and how to mix them.  

I knew I could do this, but I have been too lazy to spend the time.  However, after the ease of the sketch, I will be making more color charts from now on to help with future paintings.

color study in a sketchbook
A few weeks ago I watched Paul Taggart's video on basic color mixing.  I painted the below painting using the primary colors he uses in the video.  The colors did seem to provide more cohesiveness in the painting.  

Bird painting using Paul Taggart's color mixing lesson
acrylic and oil on 9 x 12 inch paper

Interesting stuff this color mixing business is.

What are you working on?

15 comments:

  1. I needed some inspiration-thanks. I can see the good results you had in these
    paintings. The colors do pull the composition tighter. Great lesson.

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  2. I wish I was more disciplined when it comes to colour mixing, I just mess around till things work out...your little bird does look wonderful, nice to see a sofa thrown in the mix. ;)

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  3. Loved your chair series, Lisa. Hope to see more couches now. Lovely. After a week or two of faces...I'm back working on florals. I seem to bounce back and forth between those two inspirations. Paint on, my arty friend.

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    1. I'm with you Joanie, here lately I need to bounce around a bit. It's not that I am bored...I'm just always itching to try new things. I love your happy floral paintings...and your kitties have been fabulous too!

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  4. Of course I adore the color of the couch. One of my fav colors.
    Interesting doing the color charts for your painting. ART - It all just takes time. And what a wonderful way to spend time.

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  5. Your couch painting is great - love the colors. Isn't it amazing how many colors you can get with just a few paints? And that bird painting just makes me smile.
    xxoo

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    1. It really is amazing....that is exactly what I thought once I looked at the completed page. Just imagine...you take a few DIFFERENT colors and you have another whole page, and another, and another. It's my project this week if I can ever get to it. Thanks Judy for your comments.
      xoxo

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  6. These are both such great painting. The color of the couch looks great.

    Hope you are enjoying your week my friend.

    Hugs~

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  7. I love both of these paintings...I like interiors too and I keep thinking I should paint some inside my house. I've done it a few times..it is rewarding. I love color charts! :)

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  8. Hermoso trabajos! Muy intensos, llenos de humanidad! Te felicito. Te encontré cuando visité el blog de Willian Wray. Abrazos desde Tucumán, Argentina!

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  9. I haven't painted in along time. Can you believe that? LOL! I have been writing. Either I write or paint and the writing has been calling to me.
    Both paintings are so pretty! I can't believe the colours you can get with just mixing a few colours. Big Hugs ;o)

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  10. That couch is wonderful. And the bird is SO pretty. ( I love watching birds, there is just something so soothing about them.) I wished I had more patience mixing colors :o) It's not one of my favorite things to do. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  11. Funny how we can get inspiration from just about anywhere. Magazines are great sources! Love your paintings. I especially love the bird. Great colors and textures. The color thing must be in the air. I have had a color wheel in my hand twice this month but I did not buy it yet. See ya!

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  12. Chairs, couches and birds, beautiful. xox

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  13. Good idea to practice your color blending. I should do that but probably won't, too lazy! and I'm not really a painter anyway. I love that painting on your header! Nice work Lisa.

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