Quick Tip 364 - Roles of Color

Artist/art teacher Dianne Mize answers a question about painting a sunset reflecting on water.
For reference also see:
Quick Tip 238 - Mother Color
Quick Tip 203 - Neutralizing Colors
Quick Tip 34 - Mixing Neutral Colors
Quick Tip 73 - Value Contrast?
www.diannemize.com
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[@MSKCCooke]

That was the best explanation I have ever heard on how you select the colors you're going to use!! Thank you!!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure. Have fun with it.

[@janetweirich]

WOW! What a gifted teacher you are! Thank you for your generosity. I look forward to your videos each week and am finally understanding how to use color. So very thankful for you!!!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Enjoy the journey, Janet!

[@mariecaroniaplotkin5268]

If there’s one thing I can say that I’ve overlooked in all my years of painting but learned from you over the past few years, it’s about value and matching values when mixing paint ! It never dawned on me to make sure values are equal when mixing colors . This has been invaluable (no pun intended) information for me ! I would’ve went straight to the hansa yellow out of the tube ! I just love your lessons! They’re so chock full of information ❤️

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

I am delighted, Marie, to have given you a valuable tool. Thanks for being one of our loyal supporters.

[@mountainside26]

Dianne- you are an amazing teacher. I have learned so much from you. Thank you.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

I'm so glad! It's a pleasure doing these.

[@kevinjones7777]

When I need help when I plan a painting I know who to turn to for sound advice, thanks again Dianne.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You are so welcome! Keep enjoying the journey.

[@rachmcd160]

Loved it. I like my colours to all be complimentory to eachother and the method you are using gives that effect. Tks

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You’re welcome 😊

[@Doppy34]

Awesome teaching. I was hanging on every word, thanks again DIanne, I'm still a novice at this topic

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Play with it. It's playing with these concepts that makes the real to you.

[@michelemaliano7860]

Oh dang! As a new painter I fear making a mistake (even though I can cover it and start again), so I study the colors for a week or so before I start. I still make a mistake. Once it’s made I realize what I need to do to correct the mistake. Mother color and desaturation. WHOA! Great information. That explains so much of what I’m doing wrong.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Play with this process and enjoy the journey.

[@anneburke2405]

Thank you Dianne, you always bring problems & difficulties back into the realm of logic. I find, more often than not when viewing your tutorials, I slap my forehead with my palm & exclaim " ahhhh, that’s how it works". You truely are a treasure.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks, Anne! It's a pleasure having you on board.

[@mariamotz4207]

Dianne your passion of teaching is uniques ! Thank you for your dedication. My sunsets/ sunrises paintings definitely would look much better from now on. Best wishes to you and your team.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Maria, enjoy the journey!

[@joanistotler8804]

Wow, a rich Quick Tip - thank you Dianne!!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Always a pleasure, Joani!

[@rezahosseinzadehnasser993]

Thank you so much for your great lessons. They helped me a lot.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

I am delighted, Reza! Enjoy the journey.

[@kstone9921]

Another excellent tip, Dianne. Thank you so much. I also wanted you to know that I just purchased your book "Finding Freedom To Create" and it's absolutely THE best book of its kind I've ever read. So helpful and so eloquent. Thank you for sharing your expertise and knowledge.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thank you, Kay. I am delighted my book is a hit with you.

[@1baskan]

Thank you for the videos. I also thank you for your clear english and the way you speak. Best regards.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@margaretbutters6181]

what a wonderful teacher thankyou

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thank you! It is a pleasure doing these.

[@belindahall5220]

Many thanks for your lesson! This is a great system to work by!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with it, Belinda. And thanks for being a Studio Insider member!

[@maisie6904]

That was simply stunning 🤩- you’re a star ⭐️ xx

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks. Have fun with it.

[@rainazichterman2537]

Thank you Diane. This is very helpful!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Give it a try. Thanks for watching.

[@caaront]

I love your videos and teaching style. Thank you so much Dianne.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks so much. It's a pleasure doing these.

[@adu2526]

Thank you very much, great explanation of colour harmony!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks. Have fun with it.

[@jillhoward4271]

thanks so much you explain so well and it’s such a help Appreciate you sharing so generously

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You are so welcome! Give this a try.

[@shahafshahaf5001]

Dear Dianne thank you for your teaching it’s so helping,

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You are so welcome!

[@susantoper6514]

Thank you, this is just what I needed to learn before doing next picture.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You’re welcome 😊 Have fun with it.

[@grantfleming]

Excellent summary on a complex subject. Your teaching and explanation skills amplify your knowledge as an artist, Dianne! Well done, again!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks, Grant!

[@winnyfangmichael2941]

Thanks very much for your generosity. I understand more about the hue, the value…

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure. Have fun with this.

[@jumanas4012]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You're welcome 😊

[@enastewart6565]

Excellent, thanks.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@nanl4554]

The bad thing is, I didn't find you until a month ago, the great thing is, my paintings will improve so much from here on out! Thanks Dianne, you are a gem!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Now is what counts! Enjoy the journey.

[@mimisart]

You have such great knowledge and I’m so grateful that you share it with all of us. Thank you so much for that 💙💜🌅. I’m always inspired to start practicing right after I watch one of your lessons. If only I could, lol 😝 mama duty calls

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Experience brings knowledge. Have fun practicing these suggestions.

[@April-tx2wk]

You are phantastic. Thanks a lot!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

My pleasure! Enjoy the journey.

[@robyncarr4896]

Thank you Dianne. I might be brave enough to attempt a sunset now!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Enjoy the process!

[@IBnGD]

Thank you!!!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

You're welcome!

[@boooshes]

Another useful and well -presented lesson

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Have fun with trying it.

[@boooshes]

@@IntheStudioArtInstruction progressive blocking in has helped in Alla prima ocean wave construction. I have found you have to be very careful how much paint you lay down early.

[@boooshes]

Whoops. I have watched so many of your tips I forgot which one I was responding to.

[@grazynafreund9907]

Danke!

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks so much, Grazyna!

[@alicianaive2620]

Dianne,Thank you so much for your helpful tips & explaining to the core! You are an amazing art instructor!Can you explain how to add volume and texture, shading in the snow filled areas of an winter painting, so that it doesn't look flat! Thank you🙏

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Alicia, pay attention to the values. It is how we use value of our colors that create volume and texture.

[@alicianaive2620]

@@IntheStudioArtInstruction Thank you Dianne!... Can you please make a tips video on this topic?.. Thank you!

[@davefaulkner6302]

Thanks so much for your Art Instruction. I would like to point out one of the more profound moments in the lesson at 15:20 when you list the four classes of color: mother, compliment for desaturation, warm toner, cool toner. With this in mind you maneuver paint mixes into whatever color you need to imitate. Beautiful theory and excellent discussion! However, I have issue with using ultramarine as a cooler since it is a warm blue. Of course, Ultramarine is cool if compared to red or yellow. In the theory of split compliments, warm and cool primaries allow you to mix high saturation secondaries, but you can get away with using any-old primary if you want low saturation colors, as in landscapes. A nearly pure blue primary (e..g. cobalt) or cool blue (e.g., cerulean) would be a a better choice for cooling theoretically. In your situation, Ultramarine, with its fair amount of red, probably intensifies the red of the lightened red mix. Cerulean (yellowish blue) would probably de-saturate the red as it leans toward green, red's compliment. Cobalt and some Pthalo Blues are closer to pure primaries and have a role on the palette for that reason alone.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks for your comments, Dave. The issue of whether ultramarine blue is cool or warm is a debate that has been going on for a long time. Yes, cobalt does register closer to cool, but ultramarine has that deep transparency out of the tube that cobalt lacks and appears very close to cobalt when a bit of white is added into it. Phthalo does not have that quality. My practice is based on what pigments do to one another, not on theory. Any hue that contains any complement of another hue will desaturate the second hue to a point. Total neutrals can be achieved only when the two hues are true complements of each other. I would argue that phthalo blue has in it more yellow than ultramarine blue has red, so in practice, it will not work as true primary. I would also argue the yellow is warmer than red. So, as to which of those blues have a role on the palette, I would argue that it depends upon what else is on the palette. In the long run, how color behaves if relative. No color can speak its true role without the presence of other colors.

[@jasonquitorianoart1612]

Wow amazing art work my friend ☺️👍 keep it up your good work ♥️♥️🎨🇵🇭

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thank you so much 😀

[@jasonquitorianoart1612]

Your welcome my friend ☺️👍🙏🙏♥️🇵🇭🎨

[@roseeartworksnl7992]

Wonderful tutorial Dianne. Thank you! Can you give some tips for value gradation of acrylic paint colours on the palette to keep them open longer, please.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Rockcee. I am not an acrylic painter, so it wouldn't be authentic for me to try to show that. From the experience I have had with acrylics, keeping a fine mister available and misting those colors from time to time seems to work.

[@kristenburke2563]

Thank you Diane! I'm wondering about painting a sunset/sunrise visible behind a few tall bare winter trees. Would one paint the sky first (with all its gradations and hue variations), or the trees? The trees are a much darker value and have several branches going in different directions. Generally I'd paint the darker values first, but would that be advisable in this situation?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Kristen, that's how I would do it. There are instances in landscape painting when technically, it works better to do the sky first, then proceed dark to light with the rest of the composition.

[@shahnazhussain1992]

Thank you so much . Could you pls share some reflects on abstract painting.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Shahnaz, see Quick Tips 166 and 261.

[@claudeduda3607]

🤗👍

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Thanks.

[@susantoper6514]

I have a photo of roses in a vase that to want to turn into a still life picture. The original photo is against a white wall which is a very bland and non descript. I want to change this but I'm struggling to find a background colour or colours, that would complement the roses. The roses are a pale pink ( leans to a warm pink). Have you any tips that could help with this.

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Depending upon what kind of interpretation you want, for still life paintings, backgrounds that pick up colors from the image will keep the painting harmonious. Be true to the light source in those colors. Remember, you are dealing with the hue, the value, and the saturation of the color. Study the background colors of still life paintings by Qiang Huang to see what I'm talking about.

[@diannem.1010]

Lots of valuable info here… but why no medium in gradation?

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

For me, gradation works best with controlling the color mixes. Medium only thins out the particles of paint, and that doesn't give the painting richness.

[@RudyLouieTayong]

why your exposed oil paint does not dry, mine always dry in 1 day or films in 6hours

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

See Quick Tip 115 for the answer to that.

[@cathynelson9747]

Thank you! How would one make a fluorescent color? Specifically fluorescent pink? 😀

[@IntheStudioArtInstruction]

Cathy, some of what we see as flourescent colors are made from special chemical formulas. In a painting, the perception of flourescence will be influenced by surrounding hues in the complementary hue of the color.