Wednesday, June 25

Watercolor palette tutorial...


Every now and then I share about a new color that I have added to my palettes.
I enjoy colors...
Some palettes have very few colors & the aritsts create stunning images!


I love to share my colors...
This new palette is for our daughter who will soon leave the nest!
Start by laying the tubes near the wells...


I recorded the paint names for her on the back of the palette information sheet.
Just-in-case there is a PERFECT color for the PERFECT project &
she needs to purchase more!


I was commissioned to paint a large collection of baby-themed pieces.
Instead of trying to mix the perfect 'baby' blue...
or find the right red for a soft, pastel pink----
I purchased tubes so that I could keep the collection consistent.


My first palette was set up for landscapes with a few basic colors:
(Example) Winsor Red, Winsor Yellow, Hooker's Green,
Cobalt Blue, Indigo, Sepia, Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber.
Then I added an Cadmium orange, Sap Green, Leaf Green, French Ultramarine Blue...
Then I added Phthalo Blue, Violet, Quinacridone Gold, Green Gold etc. 


Today, my palette choices are often based on collections I am working on.
'Warm Wishes' (my latest snowman fabric collection through Red Rooster Fabrics)
had aqua backgrounds that would have been impossible for me to make 
with my very first palette colors.
I don't paint with the color directly from the tube...
I always mix something with it~


I wrote little notes on the palette images...
Please click on the photographs for a closer look~


I am often asked...
Winsor & Newton is my favorite watercolor paint.
Holbein is my 2nd favorite.

Good paint is expensive.
Permanence is very important.
Choose lightfast pigments, acid-free papers & archival storage/framing sources.

Hope your days are filled with creative!


6 comments:

Doni said...

Yummy pallette Michelle! I am a lover of color and am currently dabbling again in my watercolors. I have NO talent in painting, but enjoy trying to make something pretty! It's so fun to experiment with colors and I find it relaxing and fun to make travel pallettes and squish paint into pans. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us. I need to try and settle on some favorite colors, but I just have to have more it seems!
Blessings,
Doni

Sharyn Sowell said...

I love all your posts. This one is so nice. I am not as fastidious about a clean palette and don't like it too immaculate but it's so fun to see everyone's color choices and work styles are different.

Deb said...

Great insights into creating your own colour palette, thank you Michelle! And I whole heartedly agree, Windsor Newton is the best!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm a mixed media artist that's doing more watercolor lately and I appreciate the post. Your work is wonderful!

Doreen Frost said...

OH to live next door to you my friend!!!

What a heavenly and helpful post!

hugs, Doreen

ps, I have the same pallet and many of the same colors :)

Southern Lady said...

Michelle, thank you for taking the time to visit me at my Southern Lagniappe blog, and for taking the time to leave a comment. I sincerely appreciate your kind words.

I'm so glad your comment led me to your beautiful blog. Your talent is amazing, and I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Sincerely,
Janie