I wanted to do something both sensual and moody. After I developed the idea a little more, I wondered how many basic color harmonies might be available that stayed within the spirit of things and were effective.
One thing I discovered is that to use the process I'm about to illustrate, yellow is not one of my choices in that it's not transparent enough. Also I discovered that oranges and reds--in fact any warm color--tends to look to the eye as within the range of normal flesh tones, even though the colors used are much stronger. I found cool colors to be especially effective for these moods.
But for this first one, I began to document one based on magenta.
The first step is to establish a black background in acrylic and, after drying, apply pure white where the unidirectional light is shining.
One thing I discovered is that to use the process I'm about to illustrate, yellow is not one of my choices in that it's not transparent enough. Also I discovered that oranges and reds--in fact any warm color--tends to look to the eye as within the range of normal flesh tones, even though the colors used are much stronger. I found cool colors to be especially effective for these moods.
But for this first one, I began to document one based on magenta.
The first step is to establish a black background in acrylic and, after drying, apply pure white where the unidirectional light is shining.
Here some intermediate gray transitions worked out, still in acrylic.
Within a few minutes the acrylic has dried. I applier Magenta over the entire painting, straight from the tube. Many blues, reds and violets are transparent, so that they actually deepen the darks but don't cover the lights and the acrylic underpainting shows through, newly tinted by the oils.
Do you have any idea how long it might have taken me to get here by another path and how much muddier my boots might have been?
Do you have any idea how long it might have taken me to get here by another path and how much muddier my boots might have been?
Last are the highlights.
The only colors used in this painting were black, magenta, and white.
I plan on an initial series of five using magenta (this one), red-violet,blue green, blue, and violet, so I hope you'll stay tuned.
The only colors used in this painting were black, magenta, and white.
I plan on an initial series of five using magenta (this one), red-violet,blue green, blue, and violet, so I hope you'll stay tuned.
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