Personality of color

Potted Petunias

Original oil painting  16x20"

by Susan Roux

Do you have a favorite blue? How about yellow?  

Do you have a favorite color in general? Which color couldn't you give up?

I don't know if I could answer any of these questions. I can tell you some colors I don't like. I can tell you some colors that I love to work together. But a favorite? Oh I love color way too much to pinpoint one as a favorite.

My palette started off fairly simple with 7 colors and white. It was my standard and I used it quite successfully for many years. I still teach it to my beginners. As time went on and my journey sent me exploring richer, fuller colors, I began rummaging the color charts. 

I purchased a few random ones, usually to help capture certain flowers I was struggling with. I think you can all identify with that. No matter what subject you're painting there's often a color present that you have difficulty capturing, so a tube close to the pigment becomes of great use to you. 

My purchases evolved in time. I became fixated on certain color families. I remember beginning with yellow. I bought a whole range of yellows. I didn't go crazy with them all at once. The tubes sat nicely available to me. One by one they got promoted to my palette as I saw necessary. It was a good way to get accustomed to them. I think had I put them all on my palette at once, I would have been overwhelmed. 

This way I learned each one individually. I learned how to work them with my existing colors in a way that harmonized with what I was already doing. I played. Mixing them with each color on the palette to see what little surprise they held. 

You'd be amazed how much I learned doing this. 

I don't squirt all my yellows on the palette at once. I've learned how they can assist me. It's a good feeling to have them at my fingertips and be able to go directly to the right one that will capture what I desire. That said, I don't think I ever use a color directly from the tube. It always gets to play with a friend first.

I did the same with blues. I must have at least 7 blues to choose from. Yes there are the old standbys that always have a permanent spot on the palette. Colors that get mixed into other colors no matter what I'm painting. But how about when I'm painting something blue? The sky, water, or beautiful blue blossoms? Having such a selection at my fingertips is priceless. 

In my quest for complex color, this has been a blessing.

Don't be afraid of color my friends. It's the best tool we've got. 

One of my students keeps remarking on the blues in my paintings lately. How do you get those wonderful blues? 

The answer is simple. Have a variety to play with, mixing them with other colors in your painting and soon you'll have a wonderful array of shades that visually dance together. The trick is to get to know each new addition. Think of them having their own personality. Once you understand them, they can be very useful to you.

I have many friends. Lots of personalities... Sometimes I choose to introduce some to each other, but I'm careful to pick the right blend for the right situation. If I have a boisterous friend I might not invite her to lunch with a quiet, somewhat introverted guest. On the other hand, she might be the perfect invitee at an art opening. Who better than to talk up your work? 

The same is true with your colors. If you're working in a sea of pastels, you might not want to use a really loud pigment with it, or be cautious to add in very small doses. Some personalities just go better together...

Have fun and good luck! 

So what's your favorite color again? What personality would you say it has?

Elfi Cella

Herbe

by Elfi Cella

I came upon this lovely painting yesterday and I wanted to share it with you. Its from Elfi Cella's blog. I don't exactly know what it is that grabbed me so much with this painting, but I love it.

Its such an original piece. The composition, the texture, the color. It has roots and paintbrushes! How can you hate that? I hope you take a moment and click to enlarge it. Its worth your exploration. The texture at the top is actually writing...

Remember when you were a child and you ironed waxed paper over leaves to preserve them? (Maybe some of you still do this...) When I enlarge this painting, it reminds me of that. I feel like the bumpy writing and the paintbrushes are part of what got waxed in and the roots and herbs are placed on top of it all. My eye dazzles and I'm transfixed on all the nuances this painting has to offer. Its a mesmerizing piece.

I love this about blogging. I love that an art exhibit awaits at my fingertips! Since I've started blogging in December, my enthusiasm has spawned at least four people to begin blogging too. Its a contagious thing, isn't it? When I think of contagious, I think of a cold or the flu, but this type of contagious is more like laughter. A good contagious.

I feel as though I've made new friends already.

As you continue to visit each others blogs and share in their art, in their thoughts, things get personal. I can only imagine how connected I will feel after blogging for a year or two.

I'm so happy you're all out there. Out there taking time to post your works. Taking time to share your wonderful thoughts. Taking time to leave much-loved comments. Wasted moments of my day are no longer wasted. Its become time spent with my new connected friends.

Thank you all for that...

Welcome

Welcoming Flowers

Original oil painting by Susan Roux

I've been blogging for 46 days and this is my 45 post. I remember when I started, I had no idea where this would take me. In my own words, "I was up for the ride..."

Its good when you try something new.

New ideas develop from it. In this case, new acquaintances, emerging friends, stimulation, daily art exhibits to view and participate in and lots and lots of helpful information. I was unaware of the connection, the large web of interaction, bloggers have. As I asked a lot of questions, this supportive family patiently explained it to me. So now a month and a half into it, I'm seeing the picture and I like what I see.

I've even encouraged new people to start blogging! I don't have intensions of stopping anytime soon. Another delightful surprise was in recording my journeys, it forced me to really remember details that I would otherwise loose. Now I've preserved them. They will remain here for myself and others to reread at anytime.

When I began, Jamie Haney wrote me a lovely email answering my questions and more. In it she talked about her favorite type of blog. They were the ones that included both art and writing. She said, "I like a blog that is like coming into a friends house and sitting down at the kitchen table with a nice glass of iced tea and having a chat and learning more from this new or old friend."

Wow. I really liked what she said. I wrote it down so I'd remember. It left me with a wonderful feeling. At the time I didn't quite understand how it could be like visiting a friend, but there is something about continually returning to someone's blog that is now resembling this for me. I know in time these connections will grow and I'll be richer for it.

I keep finding out about followers who never identify themselves. If that's you, come join in the fun. There is much more to blogging than what sits on the surface. It isn't until one begins that this magical connection of supporting people comes to light. Take a look around. You'll find many different types of blogs. Maybe one will inspire you to start...

Welcoming Flowers is a painting I did with one of my art classes. Its at my front door. I thought it appropriate for this post. I'd like to invite you in.

Would you like a cup of tea?

Old friends

I received a Christmas card in December from an old friend. We had lost touch for several years and the surprise of her card filled with thoughtful, tender words brought the past rushing in.

She lives nearby and we used to spend a great deal of time together. She's an artist and we painted and laughed and talked and cried in each others company, sometimes in each others arms. She was my best friend for a decade and longer. Its odd how changes in our lives can slowly pull people apart. Back then I would have never believed there would come a time when we would loose communication altogether.

But it happened. Do you have dear friends with whom this has happened to you too?

I was busy when the card arrived. I made a mental note to contact her after the holidays. When I removed the hanging cards from around my doorway, I set hers aside as a reminder to call. I did. I reached the answering machine. Several days passed and yesterday I received a call back from her.

Funny how time apart disappears when friends reconnect.

So much to catch up on! We couldn't stop talking. Next week we are meeting for lunch. I suspect it will be a long lunch...

Just yesterday as well, Josh called telling me of an old grade-school friend who emailed him out of the blue. His friend was in Iraq. I wondered what made him think of Josh, being so far away. He must be lonely. He must miss home. How wonderful it was that when he found comfort in his thoughts, it was about time spent with Josh... Josh hasn't seen him in years. Now he can't wait until his friend returns so he can visit with him.

I don't know what jars people to reach out to old friends, but I'm thankful it happens. It warms the heart and puts a smile on our face. The first thing my friend said to me over the phone after saying my name was, "Oh, I really missed that laugh!" I wish next week's lunch date was today...