Color plunge!

[Ramon Deslauriers]

I've just picked up some samples of Genesis oil paints, on Karin Wells's recommendation, with a desire to start using color. The only problem is I'm scared to death to take the plunge into the sea of color. I know I need to allow myself to be bad at it in the beginning, but if anyone has a good strategy to lessen the blow, please let me know. Thanks.

[Mari DeRuntz]

I've read that it doesn't matter what color you use as long as the value is correct, one of your strengths from your previous post. I have a value-scale taped to the clamp on my easel.

Although I don't know anything about the properties of the Genesis paints, JUMP ON IN!

Also do a search on this Forum on the book "Art and Fear". Overcoming myriad fears seems to be core to the act of creating anything.

[Ramon Deslauriers]

Thanks Mari. I'm psyching myself up.

[Michael Georges]

Ramon:

May I suggest that you do some color exercises that will really help you understand color theory?

I use a system of color developed by the Alfred Munsell company way back. Here is some additional info on Munsell color theory:

http://library.thinkquest.org/50065/...=1&tqtime=0612

Munsell wrote a book back in the 20s(?) called "A Grammar of Color". It was published by Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York. Actually, here are all of the book references to Munsell that I could find:

[Mun05] A. H. Munsell. A Color Notation. Munsell Color Company, Boston, MA, 1905.

[Mun69] A. H. Munsell. A Grammar of Color. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York: NY, l969.

[Mun76] Munsell Color Company. The Munsell Book of Color. Munsell Color Company, 2441 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, 1976. Under continuous update.

You can do a series of exercises to develop your color sense. I did these and they were very helpful. I began by developing my own Munsell Color Wheel:

http://www.fineportraitsinoil.com/Pics/Wheel.jpg

You can then create a series of charts using each hue on the color wheel. I did mine with each hue in ten value ranges - the hue from dark to light in the first row, the hue mixed with 25% gray for the second row, and the hue mixed with 50% gray for the third row. The first row gives you the pure hue, the second and third show you the hue in decreased intensity or chroma.

Once you create these charts, you will realize that there is no color in nature that you cannot mix. Further, it gives you (as Munsell says) a grammar of how to perceive color and talk about it.

Hope that helps!

[Mari DeRuntz]

Keep in mind that each new medium has a new set of plastic "properties" to learn, and it might be fun/easy to do a few simple value exercises in the new medium--a way of warming up.

[Morris Darby]

My biggest fear has always been color. I think I have some decent color paintings, but the unity still remains a bit elusive. However, after viewing certain paintings of the old master's (Andre Zorn, Sargent) I saw they used a limited pallette of colors. I am now well into my second year of painting with Black, White, Cad. Red, and Yellow Ochre. The range of colors and simulated colors are amazing. I am just fascinated with the results of the great painters and I'm working hard to get the same results.

What it is teaching me is to use value and light more than color. When I am satisfied that I have a handle on it, I'll gradually expand my pallette.

[Sharlene Laughton]

While I believe that color theories, charts, and wheels, etc. are important to give you a sense of color organization, they fall far short of what you need when you start working with oil paints. If you do not have access to painting classes, I suggest you look into buying a good book or two that will get you started right.

Different oil colors have different properties such as transparency, tinting strength, and drying time. Also, the way you build your painting (i.e., directly or with underpainting and glazes) will make considerable difference in the colors you will be able to achieve.

While this may seem a little daunting at first, with a little help from a good teacher (whether in a class or through a book) you will soon discover the joys of working in this wonderful medium. PERHAPS SOME OF MY FELLOW PAINTERS CAN SUGGEST AN APPROPRIATE BOOK FOR SOMEONE BEGINNING IN OILS.

[Tom Martinez]

"Creative Color", Faber Birren and "Color Choices", Steven Quiller. You can get these through Amazon.com.

[Ramon Deslauriers]

Micheal, Mari, Morris, Sharlene, and Tom,

Thanks for all your suggestions. They've helped get my head on straight.

Sincerely, Ramon

P.S. Keep the ideas flowing. Every little bit helps. Not just for me, but everyone else(hopefully I'm not the only one) too.

[Michele Rushworth]

Ramon, here's my advice:

1. For now, ignore the books and ignore everything you've read about color theory. They'll make you think too much and make you more fearful just trying to remember everything.

2. Gesso up a few dozen pieces of heavy duty acid free paper. Blank canvases are expensive and intimidating.

3. Get some reference. Try to find objects you're not too attached to. Put an old shoe or a pile of ratty books on a table and paint that.
The point is to loosen up and let go of your fears.

4. Buy a dozen or so different colors of paint (primaries, secondaries, neutrals, etc). Not too many or the complexity will get in your way.

5. Grab your biggest brushes. Put the little ones away.

6. Set a goal for yourself to paint twenty pieces in a weekend. It doesn't matter what they look like when they're done. This is a learning exercise.

7. Have a glass of wine if you want to, lock yourself in the studio and don't come out until you've done a pile of paintings. Have a fabulous time!

You'll learn so much about your paints, color mixing, etc and you won't be afraid any more.

After that, then you should study the books that everyone has recommended. But it really comes down to jumping in and doing it.

Have a great time!