Abandon any and all hesitation you have about experimenting with COLOR!

There are Four Projects in this course:

1. Create a Color-Value Diamond

2. Paint with Three Pigments: Light Value Pigment; Medium Value Pigment; Dark value Pigment

3. Paint with Four Pigments: One Light Value Pigment; Two Medium Value Pigments; One Dark Value Pigment

4. Paint with Six Value Pigments: Two Light Value; Two Medium Value; Two Dark Value

The following files are in your UPLOADS for you to print out and laminate if you wish. Here is a link to a video showing you how I laminate my grayscale and color aids with a roll of clear, adhesive, shelving material: Laminating Your Reference Aids (This is a video I made for my Color Scheme Game, but the laminating process is the same.

You will see that there is a duplication of the Grayscales in slightly different formats for you to choose which is best suited to your way of thinking. When you prepare your grayscales ,cut along one of the vertical edges so that there is no white showing. This way you can compare the values of your pigments more easily to the steps on the grayscales.

File Name: Color Value Diamond Grayscale V IG Text IMG_7503trans

File name: 10 Step 7 Step 5 Step Gradient Value Scales to Print

File Name: Color Value Diamond Contrast Grayscale Mode For Print

File Name: Color Value Workshop Reference Aids to Print

File Name: Color Wheel Diamond Text

File Name: Color Value Diamond Print

File Name: Gradient Color Value Diamond With Text Print

File Name: Grayscale 10 - 7 - 5 step scales

PROJECT ONE: CREATE YOUR OWN COLOR VALUE DIAMOND

Directions:

Print out either one of the two Black and White versions of the Color Value Diamond. I suggest you print the files onto 90 lb (190 gms) or 140 lb (300 gms) watercolor paper.

Choose any medium you wish to work in. Using only fully saturated pigments (no mixing with white or black) mix your primary hues ... using only two of the primaries for each mix) create a hue that is as close in value as possible to the ten step grayscale at the center of the diamond. Paint in the steps as follows:

Post your project!

NOTE: As you add more images and comment or questions to your project page, please add a comment in the discussions area so I will see that you have added a project to your page. Otherwise, I will not know you have added anything to your project page. Sorry for this inconvenience.

2. Paint with Three Pigments: Light Value Pigment; Medium Value Pigment; Dark value Pigment

From your collection of paints, arbitrarily choose three, one that is a light value, one that is a middle value and one that is a dark value.

Choose the subject you will be painting. Make a preliminary sketch of the basic shapes of your painting making sure that each of your basic shapes is a closed shape. A closed shape is one that if you were to cut it out, it would fall out of your canvas. An open shape would end up as a flap of some kind. Closed shapes have a definite border all around indicating where the shape ends.

You may either draw directly from looking at something, you may trace a photograph or you may create an abstract image.

Decide the value for each and every shape: Light, Medium or Dark. Using tracing paper create at least three variations of the values you assign to the shapes. Indicate the values of light, medium or dark with pencils, charcoal or watercolor washes. Choose the one you wish to paint.

Draw these shapes onto your canvas or paper.

Brush each of the three pigments onto a scrap of paper or canvas to verify its grayscale value by holding the edge of the grayscale directly next to the sample. When you are happy with your pigment choices, paint the light value shapes with your light value pigment, your middle value shapes with your middle value pigment and your dark value shapes with your dark value pigment.

Remember to stand back from you painting to see the atmospheric illusion you have created.

Make adjustments if you wish.

POST YOUR PROJECT and let me know.

3. Paint with Four Pigments: One Light Value Pigment; Two Medium Value Pigments; One Dark Value Pigment

Process is the same as in the last project except that you'll arbitrarily choose two middle value pigments instead of one. In the demo I use one light value, two middle values and two dark values. It isn't necessary to use two dark values because the difference between the two may not be noticeable enough. If you wish to use two, please do.

POST YOUR PROJECT and let me know.

4. Paint with Six Value Pigments: Two Light Value; Two Medium Value; Two Dark Value

Arbitrarily choose two of each value pigments. You may also work with only one dark pigment as I mentioned for the last project. Make sure you have two light value and two middle value pigments.. It isn't necessary to use two dark values because the difference between the two may not be noticeable enough. If you wish to use two, please do.

This time, begin painting without making a preliminary sketch or plan as to what your basic shapes will be... See what happens.

POST YOUR PROJECT and let me know.

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As you move through the processes of creating your four projects, I'm curious to know what you are experiencing, what you notice, what you resist, what you enjoy and what you are learning. Your input will help me continue improve this course.

Please post your projects. You may add additional projects to your project page. Every time you add a new project in any of my classes, you earn an entry into the current month's contest. I draw the name of the winner on the first day of every month LIVE on Instagram. I will post the drawing time on an Instagram post on the morning of the drawing. The time will change due to my frequent travel and lack of cell or internet service. The winner will receive a free month of membership to The Artist's Journey.

Thank you!

Hilary Robinson

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