Chasing color and capturing it has in many ways been elusive for many trying to paint. Further it’s been a course of intense study for a very long time including the artistic and science side to it with many opinions. Recently, I came across an old book published in 1895 or so, that was written for teachers on color study. My how the English language has changed since then! Despite the wordiness, it got me to thinking on the subject of color once again and thought I’d share some insights gained from 41 years of painting.

Color is Personal

Color perception and taste is personal. No two people likely see colors in the same way and artists have their favorite paints and often no two have the same exact palette. Color preference is seen in other areas. As an example, take shopping for a neck tie. Pick any tie and someone will love the colors in it, while another wouldn’t want to be caught dead wearing it. Yes, color is personal. Likely you can harmonize your tastes in clothing and its accessories and even in your home furnishings and decor. So it goes with painting. Artist’s works can often be recognized by their use of color, not just technique or subject matter. Someone may like the color scheme chosen, while others hate it. That’s how it is. What’s important for an artist regardless of preference is simply to learn to mix and duplicate the appearance of colors they see and then put them in the right place in their painting.

We really don’t need to know the science of how we see color. Be happy that you can, even if your vision isn’t the same as others. It brings variety, but you can develop your color sense to a higher degree through practice and careful observation.

Paints to Mix By

First you need a set of colors that will give you a good vivid representation of the 12 hues on a color wheel. For that I list the following as primary colors.

• Yellow: Cadmium Yellow Light or Pale
• Blue: Phthalo Blue or Winsor Blue
• Red: Permanent Rose or Quinacridone Rose

These colors differ from what one normally considers as primary colors because those do not produce a full spectrum. The above colors are similar to the hues of printing inks of yellow, cyan and magenta. Although these produce a fairly vivid color wheel when mixed, we need to remember these are not inks being printed which are made up of little dots and visually combined to see a color. Therefore, I prefer to have tubed colors that approximate the secondary colors.

• Orange: Cadmium Orange
• Violet: Dioxazine Violet or Winsor Violet
• Green: Permanent Green ( This can be found in Winsor Newton Brand )

Using a tubed color instead of mixing a secondary color will give a more intense color and it will also give more intense intermediate colors when mixed with the primary colors. To lower the brightness of a color, instead of using its compliment you can mix a gray of roughly half black and half raw umber. To tint the color add white. For further explanations you may wish to read my other article on how to choose a color palette. Hope these suggestions will help in chasing color and capturing it.

Speaking of Color

Here’s a variety of paintings up for auction on eBay featuring different color schemes.

Morning Light at the Pond 10×8 oil by Byron

To have a chance at placing a winning bid, first sign into your eBay account and then visit my profile page. You’ll see what other paintings are also available. Auction end dates are variable.

Another way to find my listings while logged in, is using eBay’s search feature and typing in “Nature landscape oil painting” in parenthesis and it will likely return results for my work.

Colorful Creek 8×10 oil by Byron

Color in the Canyon

Arizona Vista 8×10 oil by Byron

Thanks for reading!

A New Plein Air Painting

I was recently able to experience the plein air painting benefits when coming upon an old red barn in a field full of red clover flowers. It simply could not be passed up. Below you can see my pochade box for plein air (out of doors) painting and my subject matter behind.

Plein air painting pochade box and view of scene

Red Barn and Red Clover 8×10 oil by Byron

This painting with its easy title (Red Barn and Red Clover) will also be up for auction on eBay. It’ll end May 7th. You can access the auction from my profile page.

Bidding started at only .99 cents!

Benefits of Plein Air Painting

So what are the benefits of painting out of doors, versus working from a photo? Simply put, photos lie compared to what your own eyes can see. Camera’s are a distortion of reality. Although I find it essential in recording details and the fact it’s not always possible or practical to paint at some locations. However, painting from life increases your understanding of color, light and values more so than anything else. You also become aware of a camera’s limitations and how to work work with those limitations.

But, what if you don’t have the desire or it’s not practical to paint on location? Try taking just your paints, and mixing the colors you see and make notes in a journal. Sort of a color chart. Of course take a photo to remind you of your scene or do a pencil sketch… or both. So get out and give it a try! It’ll lend authenticity to your work.

If you need plein air painting supplies, here’s a link to Judson’s Art Outfitters. I purchased the 9×12 Guerilla Box years ago and it’s still going strong.

Other Recent Byron Signature Paintings

Nostalgic Bluebonnets 8×10 oil by Byron copyright 2019

I was feeling a little bit nostalgic for a classic view of one of my favorite flowers to include in my landscape paintings. (Bluebonnets!)

Days of Spring 8×10 oil painting by Byron copyright 2019

Now living in North East Texas, it’s been enjoyable to see a variety of trees and flowers not previously encountered.  In several areas there were flowering Dogwood and wisteria growing up along fences and even up into the trees. Not to mention fields and fields of yellow flowers. So I decided to combine all three. Hope you enjoy these latest 3 Byron paintings!