In this next lesson, I used a harmony called a “split complement”. This consists of a key color (in this case red-violet) and it’s two split complements (yellow and green). Split complementary colors are one step to each side of a complementary color. When using this palette, there is more of a complexity in nuanced hues and tones, as opposed to just using a complementary palette. Above is my finished study of an iris using my selected harmony.
Here we see it first on the color wheel (look at the three corners of the isosceles triangle to find the harmony), and then the actual mixture of “strings” of paint.
My subject matter is a silk iris that I have hung on the wall and directed a light source on. I’m looking for ways to use all of the colors that I have mixed ahead of time, as well as composing an interesting painting that includes aspect of the shadow cast upon the wall. I start out by sketching basic shapes with a neutral color.
Applying darks, lights, then middle values, I begin to work the entire painting study, which is small: 10 x 8 inches.
Here are some of my students: Leia and Terry, working on their studies.
See you next time, when we explore a new harmony.
