colour: complimentary & mixing

Following on from last time, we had a look at complimentary colours:  the colours opposite each other on a colour wheel.  

When made by mixing the adjacent colours together, a more genuine and sympathetic complimentary colour emerges.  An orange, green or purple taken directly from the pallet is sometimes a brighter and often more distorted version of the true complimentary colour of the wheel.  [This has its own uses but not for us today.]

  

Complimentary colours can make effective shadows as demonstrated by the Impressionists and by mixing the complimentary colour, its effect can be more easily manipulated.  For example; a purple can be made more blue or more red by using the same two colours but in different quantities.

So - the task...

Working from the still-life, explore how complimentary colours work.

The outline of the drawings were made in pencil then artist quality colour pencils were used to bring out the colour.  

I've commented under some of the pieces which follow.

Notice individual styles are showing - which is very exciting for me!

 

demonstration pages

I think this is self explanatory.  Usual I would demonstrate as the session progresses which enables me to tailor my responses to individual needs but I knew drawing the colour wheels etc would take up too much time and decided to make use of getting up early to play.  

Stuart

Dorothy

 Dorothy began by putting red as a base for the green hat.  Unknowingly, Dorothy was using a technique many artist use to give their work vibrancy.  Excellent!
 

Judith

Monica

Mike

 The Womble's fur is definitely an example of less is more.  Brilliant!

Mabel

 This was an exceptional session - well done everyone!