Hue and Intensity

Green – Mixing Greens

by Alana Knuff  |  Apr 22, 2017

My least favorite color is green.  It seems to take over paintings if too saturated.  Reality, especially landscapes, displays many variations of green.  And it is important to note that green makes water wet in a painting.  Combining various blues (cobalt, ultramarine, cerulean, phthalo, Prussian) with various yellows (cadmium, cadmium lemon, Indian, Hansa, ochre, Naples) produces a wide spectrum of green favoring either warm or cool depending on the ratio mix.  Seldom do I use a green from a tube, except for chromium oxide green.

Adding New Colors

by Alana Knuff  |  Feb 22, 2016

Often it is fun to explore new colors and their combinations. This broadens one’s knowledge and keeps paintings fresh. The earth colors – raw umber, burnt umber, raw sienna and burnt sienna –produce some interesting combinations and results. Before starting a painting with new colors, take time to create a matrix showing various combinations and values. This provides an invaluable color guide for painting and can be kept for future reference.

Playing With Color – Creating a New Palette

by Alana Knuff  |  Dec 2, 2015

Whenever a new painting is started, there is an opportunity to play with new colors. Usually a cool red, blue and yellow and a warm red, blue and yellow form the base with white and black. One color will dominate. Mixed with its compliment, it should give the needed neutral. Making a matrix shows some of the variations that can be created. Limiting the palette to a few hues produces color harmony.  As a result, you will have a new palette to use again.