All of my oil paint colors, with the exception of phthalo turquoise, are of the classical mineral type pigments. These pigments are known for becoming more gray when mixed with each other, their color intensity noticeably reduced. In particular, mixing titanium white with a mineral hue will create an opaque, flat and chalky color. If you compare this painting with my current acrylic picture (see yesterday's post), which uses a lot of intense modern pigments without white mixed in, you can see how dull the oil painting is in comparison.
It's useful to be aware of the differences between mineral and modern pigments, as depending on the effect you want, you can favor one type of pigment over the other, for a particular painting!
A lot of artists come to settle on a particular palette of colors, after much experimentation. But the more I play with color, the more value I see in having a large selection of colors available (although any one painting will rarely use more than about 12 colors). Most colors are manufactured with a real purpose in mind. When you consider all of the color bias possibilities (such as a violet blue vs. a greenish blue), plus the usefulness of having both an opaque and a transparent version of a color, your list of colors can get quite large! I like to build up my inventory just a little bit at a time. :)
Hi! Fell asleep at my computer tonight. This entry is very informative. I appreciate you teaching about how important color really is! :)
ReplyDeleteYou must have a really comfortable computer chair! :) I don't know if I could sleep at my computer!
ReplyDeleteI find color and pigments to be very interesting. One thing I had a hard time getting a grasp of, is color temperature. But then I realized that temperature is basically the same thing as color bias. People talk in terms of color temperature as if there are absolutes, but it's really relative. So I prefer color bias, which is absolute indeed. (I don't talk about a "cool" yellow, rather I prefer to say "a greenish yellow")!
Sorry, I'm gibbering a lot. :)
No, Mikey don't say that. I really enjoy you teaching me about anything that has to do with art. Especially color! :) As you know, I like darker, bright and intense colors! :)
ReplyDeleteBy darker and brighter, I think you mean high contrast colors. Yes, that makes for dynamic and exciting painting! Along with intense, saturated color.
ReplyDeleteIntense and saturated color.. oh, yes that's it alright. :) And exciting painting sounds like fun for you. :) We have to figure out some way to be able to see you while you are doing some painting!!
ReplyDeleteHave you seen " sleepy little Tommy" on Tommy and Gracie? Toooo cute! :)
ReplyDeleteBetter get to bed. Goodnight, Mikey and Bruce! :)
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