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 DISCOVER THE SECRET TO PAINTING EFFORTLESSLY !!!

STILL WATERS BESIDE PEW ISLAND PATHWAY

14 x 11" Oil

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There was no breeze on this beautifully warm day at Indian Lake. Calm water and still warm air is always a nice atmosphere for pleinair. Adding to this perfect setting, I chose to limit my resources at hand.

By using a limited palette of only six colors, I was able to  

1) immediately focus on the details

2) instantly reduce my decision making, and 

3) effortlessly create unity throughout the entire painting.

Over the years, I have studied with and painted alongside many pleinair artists. They all have a unique palette. I've tried so many! Whether through books, or videos, or in person workshops with world renowned oil painters; I've been inundated with suggestions of what colors to use, what brushes and canvases are best, and a myriad of approaches. Many begin with toning the canvas, others do not. Some use lots of tubes of pigments, some use a limited palette. 

After making my way through all of this, I think I lost "my" way of painting; however I believe, with this single painting excursion, I have once again centered myself. Peace reigns.

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While out in the field, I use a make-up bag with hook to carry my pigments.
 Hanging on the tri-pod, they are handy and ready.

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The colors I used are: 

Titanium White (Gamblin)
Cadmium Yellow Lemon (Gamblin)
Permanent Red Medium (Rembrandt)
Ultramarine Blue Deep (any brand)
Naples Yellow Deep (Rembrandt)
Cold Gray (Rembrandt)
(Please note that the brands of the paints are very important as colors vary widely between manufacturers)

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SECRETS!!!

The methods used with this limited palette are absolutely KEY to painting effortlessly "en pleinair."

First, I mix the secondaries: orange, purple and green. I dull the bright green with a bit of orange.

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Having mixed basic greens that will mostly be used in the shadowed areas; I mix the sun-kissed greens by adding NAPLES YELLOW DEEP. I believe this is THE KEY for a gorgeous sun-kissed painting!

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Most of the color mixes above are quite saturated and not far from the original tube colors. Therefore, the Rembrandt Cool Grey is essential to more subtle colors. This I believe is ANOTHER KEY to natural looking plein air paintings. 

Notice how the Cool Grey mixed with the greens de-saturates the colors. 
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I hope you'll give this palette a try! Whether you are working in your studio or outdoors, I believe you will find painting easier and more joyful.
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Let me know how you like it!
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Please comment below





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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