Coloring by Values: Wacky Palette Experiments

 

12/28/25 Caran d'Ache Museum Aqurelle pencils

What I’m calling my “wacky palette” idea has turned out to be a barrel of fun! These studies are also a great way to practice urban sketching during these days of temps in the 30s. The reference photos I snapped on summer walks, especially during the golden hour, are coming in handy now.

I knew that if I looked at the reference images first, I would automatically start choosing colors to “match” reality instead of coloring by values. To avoid that, I pre-selected palettes in colored pencils or crayons, then chose reference photos. (This is the same tactic I used during Pencilvember’s pet portraits.) I didn’t care about subject matter at all; I just chose images with strong value contrasts (you’re probably snickering that I take photos of trash cans, but you already know that’s the way I roll 😉).

12/28/25 Caran d'Ache Neocolor II crayons

Interestingly, many colors I’m using are ones that I rarely, if ever, use in urban sketching, especially pastels. I’m not too worried about how my hues will blend – something I spend a lot of time thinking about when I use triads, for example – because I’ve decided that will be part of the experiment. As I’ve already discovered, my wacky palettes are helping me discover unlikely combos and mixes that I wouldn’t have otherwise tried.

I don’t usually show reference photos on my blog, but in this case, I thought it might be informative to see the values in the images and how I interpreted them with color.

Why use wacky colors? My goal with any of the color exercises I have tried –temperature, primary or secondary triads, complements – is to avoid slavishly trying to “match” reality. Yet I also don’t feel compelled to simply use unrealistic colors just for the sake of mixing things up. After nearly 15 years of sketching mostly descriptively, I’m trying to move myself in the direction of being more expressive. I’ve learned that I have to try a lot of things until something “sticks” and becomes internalized. I don’t know if this will stick, but I’m having fun finding out!

12/28/25 Neocolor II crayons

As an exercise, I must say that these studies are much easier than some other color exercises I have tried. As much as I am intrigued by color temperature, for example, I have found it too frustrating to sketch on location while also thinking about that concept. Having to think that much takes away from the fun of urban sketching! Values, however, are easier to see as I apply color in this unusual (for me) way.

The true test will be how well I’m able to practice these concepts on location. For now, though, I’m enjoying practicing at home.