I recently had an artist ask me why color mixing is so difficult to master. At first I didn’t know how to answer the question. I have always loved color and it has never given me much trouble. To critique my own art, I would say my color can be too bright and bold. I have never had the issue of making “mud”.
Here is a watercolor I did many ears ago. I am not sure the banana flower was that brilliant but this is what I saw at the time. It was an explosion of fabulous bright bold color!
So how did I get this bold attitude towards color? In my art I am drawn to brilliantly colored and exotic things. I love iridescence and crazy color combinations. Red-eyed Tree Frogs, Peacock Feathers, Jewel Beetles! I think my preference towards bright colors is definitely driven by what I see in nature. I’ll take an orchid over a daffodil any day!
I also admire artists who’s work appears gentle and muted. The soft quiet approach is one which eludes me. As I progress in my work I have learned to tone down my colors and punch them up when I want. How did this happen?
Firstly, I think I am fearless when it comes to color. I an not afraid of making a mistake. I realized a long time ago, I learn some really good lessons from falling flat on my face! Secondly, I believe color, like drawing can be taught. For some, it may be more difficult but for others (I include myself in this category), it is relatively easy. In college I took Color Theory and I believe it gave me a decent foundation. We mixed a gazillion amount of swatches. It was repetitive, sometimes boring but a lot sunk in.
It was when I began teaching I realized artists were struggling with color mixing and I wanted to help them. I studied and created more charts and then I came to a realization. Artists of today have too many color choices! Art manufacturers, whether they are making watercolor, colored pencil, pastels or any other color medium offer so many colors it is overwhelming. It appears from a marketing strategy…. the more colors you have ….. the better chance you have of being a better artist.
This just is NOT TRUE! I think the more paints you have, the more confusing it can get. The more money you have invested, the pressure to create the next masterpiece is HUGE! When things are not coming out the way you want them to, you buy more colors! Has this happened to you?
In the beginning I bought every color I could find. I became a “color junkie”. As I started teaching I realized I could not give a supply list to students that would drain their bank account. I had to limit what they had to purchase. This made me have to come up with a specific palette and one which would work well and give the greatest range of possibilities. I start people with 2 reds, 2 yellows, 2 blues and few neutrals. When I am trying out a new brand of colored pencil or watercolor, I buy the 6 + a few extras to test them out. Often manufacturers will give you a great deal for buying their products in sets. This is very seductive because you feel like you are getting a great deal. I will only buy from a manufacturer that sells the products separately. I don’t need 172 pencils to find out I really don’t like the quality of the product.
Where do you land in the world of color? Are you confident, fearful…. a mud maker? Let me know what your experience is with color. If you need some help…. Let me know. I would love to help.
April 1st I am starting a watercolor class online. This is a great way to learn color mixing. Each week we go through mixing different ways of mixing to match color. Learn to make it interesting, varied and the way you want it! If you know someone who is struggling with color and wants to learn color mixing and watercolor please share this post.
Be kind to yourself in this time chaos and concern. Turn towards creativity and take the time to explore and enjoy this quiet time and most of all…..be safe. Love and creativity to you all! ~Mindy
Great post Mindy! Thanks…..
I am trying to treat the current crisis (and it is) as an opportunity to so some art every day, with only moderate success. (I haven’t done my taxes yet.)
stay safe everyone….
Great to hear fro you Fran! I actually got my taxes done early this year! I procrastinate on my taxes…. but not my art! Hope you are happy and healthy! Virtual hugs!~Mindy
I would love to do it, but first I will follow your book 🙂
I am just to work with not so many colors.
HI Mique! thanks for leaving a comment and bring my book. It is much appreciated. Limiting your colors will really help you in your art journey. Have fun and be creative! ~Mindy
Your art is beautiful and your blog is very informative and easy to follow. I paint and draw well and I like doing it. I also love nature and animals and see the beauty and wonder in it all. When I’ll be able to, I’ll definitely want to take your online watercolor class. I also want to wish you to keep safe and thank you for all you share.
HI Tinkie, Thanks for leaving a comment on this post. I am glad you enjoy reading the blog and find it easy to follow. I hope you are able to stay safe and use this time to be creative too! ~Mindy
I have a good foundation in Color Theory and taught it myself for many years in High school. My main subject is nature, and greens have always perplexed me. None of the greens I produced came close to the colors in nature, and actually few colored pencil greens do either. I am now taking Mindy’s Colored Pencil class online and it has really made me see using color in a much more dramatic way. We have been using iridescent colors to really make natural elements shine. It is actually so much more fun to use and see color in this way. Now I want to go back and do some of the parrots and toucans and florals that I photographed on her Costa Rican workshop in 2016, because I think I can replicate those same colors with colored pencil after learning about the tools to do it with.
HI Patty! Great to hear you are changing the way you see, think, and work in color. It is a great idea to go back and do some new work from our trip to Costa Rica!!! Costa Rica has inspired me for years and I have gotten so much wonderful inspiration for my art from my journeys there. Please share your art when you get it done. Would love to see it on the Facebook Group page. Happy color making!!!!! ~Mindy
Thank you Mindy. An inspiring piece….. and so true! Keep safe
You are welcome Ros! I am glad it inspired you! You keep safe also!
Mindy, it seems to me that you have a gift in making color simple. Your watercolor course has made color suddenly fall into place for me. I’ve struggled so much with color and confusing value with hue. Intellectually I could give a lecture on the difference. Practically, it’s been a real challenge in my art journey. I find doing a value study to start with is the only possibility I have of getting it clear in my head.
The way you mix color is so simple and the colors stay so clear! Thanks for making is simple.
Hi Susan! You were the reason I created this blog post!!!! I really appreciate you sharing that you were struggling with color mixing. My goal is to help people and make it simpler to learn to create effectively. It is heartwarming to know I helped you! THANK YOU! ~Mindy
I thought I saw myself in this blog. As a current online watercolor student I want to say that is anybody reading this is thinking it might be a good class, my advice is: Don’t Wait!!! I’ve been studying from different instructors and have become proficient in watercolors. Mindy’s class has helped me fill in so many gaps and is taking me to another level. Don’t hesitate. Sign up now! (no, I’m not paid to say this–I just feel passionate about the way she simplifies the subject). Can’t wait to take other Mindy classes.
Susan! You are so awesome to say this about my classes. I am thrilled that you are making great strides in your learning experience. You made my day……. no…. my week! Thanks and virtual hugs to you!!
Mindy