Why I Stopped Buying Every Color of Paint
I used 3 colors to create this watercolor painting. Can you guess which ones I used?
I have a confession to make. I’m a color junkie. Some of you already new that!
I’ve been fascinated by color for as long as I can remember. From the clothes I wear to the subjects I paint, color has always been at the heart of my creative life.
When I first began painting, I believed becoming a better artist meant owning more colors. Every time a new watercolor or colored pencil was released, I convinced myself I needed it. Before long, I had accumulated more than 500 tubes of watercolor paint.
Then I realized something surprising. The more colors I owned, the more confusing color mixing became.
Centuries ago, artists learned differently. Apprentices working under master painters made their own paints from pigments gathered from minerals, plants, and even insects. As they ground the pigments and mixed them with different binders, they learned each one’s unique characteristics—how it mixed, whether it stained, how transparent it was, and how it behaved on paper. That knowledge was just as important as learning to draw.
Today we have thousands of beautiful colors at our fingertips, but much of that understanding has been lost. Instead of truly knowing our pigments, we often reach for another tube of paint, hoping it holds the answer.
I decided to take a step back. Rather than buying more paint, I began studying the paints I already owned. I tested each one for its color bias, transparency, opacity, staining qualities, granulation, and lifting ability. Then I challenged myself to paint with a limited palette of just three carefully chosen colors.
It completely changed the way I paint. Today I can create an entire painting using only three colors—not because I have fewer choices, but because I understand those colors deeply. Instead of relying on hundreds of tubes, I rely on knowledge.
Ironically, limiting my palette expanded my creativity.
This is one of the ideas we’ll explore during my 8-day Mixed Media Art Retreat in Portugal. Together we’ll discover how a limited palette creates harmony, simplifies decision-making, and gives you the confidence to mix virtually any color with intention.
Because creativity doesn’t come from owning more supplies. It comes from understanding the ones already in your hands.
Coming next: The biggest myth I ever learned about color—and why there really isn’t such a thing as a “perfect” red, yellow, or blue.
That would be a great class to offer Mindy and really sounds interesting.
I am glad you found this useful Linda. I am gearing up for my art retreat in Portugal and we will dive deep into this topic. I could also offer it on Zoomfor those who can’t travel. Great idea! Thanks!
It would be great if you could also offer it on zoom. Sounds wonderful.
Hi Trudy! Great to hear from you! Looks like there is a lot of interest in this topic! I amthnking the slight be a good fall Zoom class to offer. Thanks for the feedback.
This wouldale a great online course!
You are the 4th person to say that this is a great topic for an online course. Thanks for the feedback! Cheers, Mindy
Hi Mindy,
Love this post, and very relatable! I am committed to learning more about color theory using fewer colors also. I hope you’re well
HI Lori, So glad you enjoyed the post. I am working on a series of posts as I know many people struggle with understanding color. I am having fun creating limited palettes and creating paintings.
Hi Mindy, great post and yes a zoom class would be great!
Hi Dorota! Great to hear from you. Looks like this is popular topic! I will start working on it!
Cheers,
Mindy
Yes, I also enjoyed your post and I’m always ready to learn more about color. Your watercolor class taught me a lot about color with the testing of painting a sphere and lifting, etc.
Hi Michal, I am so happy to hear that my class has helped you with color.I am really excited about diving deeper and experimenting with watercolor effects! thanks for stopping by and reading my latest post. More to come! ~Mindy