Color observation and how to mix color in oil painting

How to organize the palette

The palette is like the command center of painting and is worth mentioning here. The palette is often a reflection of the painting. If the palette is all mixed up in greyish tone colors, you can envision a greyish tone painting on the canvas. My palette is usually arranged as follows: Top right corner – black on the left and white on the right; lower left is green and other neutral colors. When painting, the mixed colors are generally arranged in the order of the color wheel and divided into several regions.

How to observe color

The key to the honing of plein-air color ability is the observation of color. Color observations means to find and establish the color relationship. There are three types of color relationship that we need to identify.

Basically, one must establish the value and temperature of the colors.

The key to color observation is a quick glance instead of a long gaze. It is a scanning action where the gaze does not rest on a particular point or place. It’s like two young people sneaking glances of each other on their first date. A lot can be learned through that glance. It gives you the object’s color character and the color relationship between objects. This observation method is based on “feel.” What’s wrong with “staring?” If you stare at something for a long time, the colors feel less bright. The contracts between the colors of different color blocks are then weakened. The most important training in plein-air color paintings is the observation and feeling of the colors.

How to paint and mix color

Observe→ Mix colors → Paint. Observe again → Mix colors again → Paint again. The brighter parts usually need two to three applications of color.

Common approach:

Keep in mind:

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