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| 1/15/20 Caran d'Ache Pablo (Carmine 80, Royal Blue 130, Olive Yellow 15) in Stillman & Birn Epsilon sketchbook |
In my last series of primary triadic studies, I worked on the hypothesis that yellow plays
well with others: As long as red and blue are in harmony, most yellows will be
friendly (though obviously some yellows are better than others). My experiments,
however, were hodgepodge, done with a variety of watercolor pencil brands and color
choices made intuitively.
In
today’s series, I used traditional (dry) colored pencils in one brand only, Caran d’Ache Pablo. My method was more controlled: The red and blue (Carmine 80
and Royal Blue 130) are consistent in each sketch, selected because the strong,
cool violet I was able to mix from them appealed to me. Then I chose three
yellows as variables almost at random. I was doubtful about the triadic mix for
a couple of them, but I went with them anyway to see what the results would be.
The
first (above) uses Olive Yellow (15), which has a subtle greenish cast in the swatch,
but thankfully it didn’t clash. This was the yellow I was most confident would
mix well with Carmine and Royal Blue. The apple’s cast shadow is the most
neutral of the three.
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| 1/17/20 Caran d'Ache Pablo (Carmine 80, Royal Blue 130, Golden Ochre 33) |
My
second try (left) included Golden Ochre (33), which I had doubts about because it
seemed a bit too cool in the swatch. I also didn’t care for the green that
resulted from its mix with Royal Blue. But in the finished apple sketch, it still
mixed well with the others and didn’t muddy the apple’s lively purple shaded
side.
I
was also doubtful about the yellow in the third try (below), Golden Yellow (120), but
in the finished sketch, it turned out to be my favorite of the three. I thought
it brought out a bit of sparkle where it mixed with the purple on the shaded
side. I may have laid it on too strong in the cast shadow compared to the
others, so it’s more warm than neutral, but it still works.
Are
you bored stiff with my apples? Or are you inspired to try some triads of your
own, in whatever medium you use? I hope the latter. . . I find these so much
fun to do, and I’m learning so much about color mixing!
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| 1/18/20 Caran d'Ache Pablo (Carmine 80, Royal Blue 130, Golden Yellow 120) |
I love seeing these triads! Your apples are amazing, very fun thread to follow. By-the-way, I still love using your Secondary Palette choices.........
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm happy to hear you're still using the secondary palette! I may be done with primary triads for now... maybe I need to look for some interesting secondaries...
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DeleteOk, second try on the comment, lol! I love the secondary palette, it’s very versatile and it seems to pull everything together, instead of a mish mosh of colors.
ReplyDeleteI agree -- secondary palettes are so vibrant and lively without having to try hard! Of course, the mixing possibilities are limited compared to the primaries, but they are still fun to experiment with. Your previous comment already inspired me, so I'm working on a secondary palette post! :-)
DeleteI’m looking forward to it!!
DeleteI, too, continue to be inspired by your triad experiments. I haven't tried the secondary triad yet, but I went back and revisited my primary triads because I had focused on changing the yellows (which seem to have fewer options in my collections) until your post about yellow plays well. I am not yet sketching fruit but I was excited to find an apple with a yellow star! Then, without thinking, I cut it up when my granddaughter asked for an apple. I will have to try on the more boring apples instead. It was a kanzi apple, a new variety to me. We don't get the marvelous varieties of fruit or squash that you get up in the PNW, I'm sorry to say.
ReplyDeleteAnne
I keep thinking I need to sketch cut fruit for variety... but then they go brown, and I feel like I need to eat them quickly. ;-) Glad to hear you are inspired by the triads!
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