I did a bit of editing on the photo. Here's four versions for you to study. One is greyscale, one sepia tone, one sepia with noise reduction to simplify the values, and one posterized to break them into distinct patterns. This is what you need to learn to see with your own eyes but it takes some time and lots of practice so the computer and any photo editing program becomes a good tool to help you see the pattern of light and dark values.
One this one, I'd like to see you try for color variation too but still working with the same three colors that you did on the last. Try for a warm and cool contrast as well as light and dark. More blue in the hat and less blue in the skin.
Also, devise a system for beginning color charts. It could be any sturdy white board or paper--cheap is fine. Convenient size would be binder or file--whatever works for you. Label the color (including brand name) that you are using and paint small squares of every combination of that color that you can mix. In this case, it would be Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, and Titanium White. Can be a bit tedious but someday it'll be valuable to you and if you do them along with the painting that you are working on, it won't take too long.
I can see the difference in each photo and understand what you did. Can you post an example of the color chart? Do you mean every possible combination I can mix or every combination that I do mix?
ReplyDeleteOver the next year or so, I would like to paint a portrait of each of us--from Laura to Beth. I would also like one of Mom and Dad. I think with your help and some cooperation from the others, this can happen.
If I can get each one to send you a picture, would you assess it, and either send me a copy or send it back with instructions for a better photo? Cut out the middleman, you know.
I appreciate all your help.
I'll help you however I can.
ReplyDeleteColor charts: Using two colors plus white. (better explanation)
Make yourself five columns and ten rows of boxes separated by some white space. Don't have to actually draw the boxes unless you want--it's only for your own reference so it can be loose and sloppy if that's your style.
Column 1 Row 1-- pure Ultramarine Blue
Column 2 Row 1--3/4 UM Blue and 1/4 Burnt Sienna
Column 3 Row 1-- 1/2 & 1/2
Column 4 Row 1--1/4 UM Blue and 3/4 B Sienna
Column 5 Row 1 --pure Burnt Sienna
Bottom Row, all columns--pure Titanium White
Then mix increasing amounts of T white into each of the colors in the top row and try to get progressively lighter until you have a complete range between the no white color at the top and the pure white at the bottom. Let it dry, label it with the colors used (and the brand as they do vary), store it for future reference. Eventually, if you do charts with all of your colors, you'll be able to look up any color that you want to produce. Don't get bogged down in these though, keep on painting pictures.