I get stuck sometimes. I think it happens to everyone but you probably noticed it without me even having to mention it. Three years ago, I put together a collection of swatches. I took all the paint that I had in the studio and spread a bit on squares of 300 lb watercolor paper. Each color is shown as it truly is, right out of the tube, and mixed with white. It is a very useful tool to have when discussing color. {I’ve often found that my definition of bright pink, for example, and your definition don’t always match}. Sitting with a client with a range of colors laid out before us makes it so much easier to fine tune preferences. I came up with about 35 samples. And for the next couple of years, I stuck with about 5 of those colors. Yes, I still have most of them in the studio but my go to colors are very limited. If I want a blue, I reach for Payne’s Grey. If I want red, it’s Quinacridone Scarlet. Strangely I have two blacks on the list, Mars Black and Carbon Black. And of course Titanium White. Stuck! Looking at it with her, I could see the possibility of it. My mind was suddenly running with combinations. I, of course, went out to buy several new tubes {finding the old one seemed unlikely and it had probably dried out}. I had to force myself to work on her piece first. But when that was finished I went town, trying different styles, different palette combinations, really getting to know Azurite Blue. Discovering a new color can be like meeting a new friend on the commuter train. There are bursts of intense “getting to know you” and then a mellowing as we fall into “comfortable conversations.” I am looking forward to making new friendships as the years go on.
What color is taking over your world lately? Is it a new discovery or a long-time favorite? Comments are closed.
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November 2019
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