We will see in this article:
After having explored the subtleties of mixing the primaries and the complementary ones in our watercolor box of 12 colors during the first two chapters see chapter 1 and see chapter 2 , it is time to take a new step. In this third part, we will delve into the art of creating harmonious color charts by cleverly combining the colors of our Watercolor Box in pairs.
Discover how to amplify the richness of your color range by complementing and combining these colors to give birth to a plethora of new shades. The hidden treasures of your palette are about to be revealed, and you won't even need to acquire new colors!.
Follow my practical step-by-step guide to unleash the unsuspected magic of your watercolor box!”
PRACTICAL GUIDE: MAKE A WATERCOLOR COLOR CHART WITH 12 COLORS STEP BY STEP
Discover how to create harmonious watercolor color charts by following my detailed guide; obtain astonishing results with the 12 shades in your watercolor box to master the art of colors. To get started, discover the table below which will guide you in creating your color chart see here .
Download it and easily print it at home on A4 watercolor paper. The process is simple: place a fine-grained 300 g/m2 watercolor sheet in your tray, then start printing!
If you prefer, use a tracing paper to reproduce the painting on watercolor paper, and that's it. Block out two hours in rainy weather, because it is well known that creativity flourishes in these conditions. In the rest of this article, I will explain in detail how to make your color chart, step by step.
First stage:
Second step :
For this step, take out your box of 12 watercolor colors. As detailed in chapter 2 "Master the art of mixing colors in watercolor" see here , it is recommended to create "marker colors" on watercolor paper cut to the size of your box, corresponding to the alignment and the arrangement of half-buckets, with their associated numbers and symbols. See the reference below for clarity.
Then, following the arrangement of the numbers associated with the colors, start filling in the boxes of the first horizontal line (from 1 to 12), then reproduce the same colors in the vertical direction (the triangular shapes from 1 to 12).
Note that I chose not to follow the order of the colors in my watercolor box. I classified yellows, reds, blues, greens, then Payne's gray, earth colors and finally white.
You have the freedom to arrange the colors according to your preferences, but the ideal is to group warm and cold colors together, for better visual coherence. This arrangement will also facilitate later comparison of associations between colors.
After completing the boxes horizontally and vertically, repeat the process for the diagonal line. Don't forget that you can also use this table for other colors present in your box. Keep in mind this is a 12 square, but you can scale it to suit your watercolor palette.
Third step: process
Now , let's dive into the art of color mixing. The association is done in pairs, and the process begins by filling the boxes in the vertical direction. To create your color chart, follow these instructions: start with color number 1 (lemon yellow) and combine it with color number 2 (cadmium yellow). Choose a greater proportion of lemon yellow than cadmium yellow.
The idea is to take more pigment from a color arranged in a horizontal line and mix it with a related color arranged in a vertical line. Do you always follow me?
For example, with your lemon yellow on the palette of your watercolor box, use a clean brush to add a certain amount of that color. Then, mix it with cadmium yellow in a larger quantity for lemon yellow and a smaller quantity for cadmium yellow.
Don't forget to clean your brush between each blend!
Repeat this process, continuing with the lemon yellow, this time mixing it with the cadmium red, then with the crimson, and so on. The example below illustrates the process:
Step Four:
Congratulations , you have finished your color chart! After about two hours of immersion, whether by listening to a podcast, the radio or any other media of your choice (an anecdote shared by Marie-Hélène, one of my students who completed her color chart), the result is worth it !
Brigitte, another student, mentioned having spent around 3 hours on it! As for Jean-Marc, he shared with us a tip using a “daisy” palette. It places the “dominant” color in the middle of the palette and arranges the other associated colors around it, thus simplifying the mixing as you go.
After following these steps, you are free to choose the method that suits you best. I refined the mixed colors so that they best correspond to the reality of the mixtures obtained.
You even have the possibility to download the illustrations (click on the images in question), from the initial table to that of the finalized colors, a special attention just for you.
Once your color chart is complete, it's time to look at it carefully. Each initial color has been skillfully combined with other colors, in varying quantities. Each shade plays a role, whether it is dominant or dominated.
To interpret your color chart, let's take the example of color number 5 (cadmium red). Reading in the vertical direction, at the intersection with color number 7 (emerald green), you will obtain a darker red, almost orange (the result of the dominance of red).
On the other hand, when reading in the horizontal direction, the crossing between red and green will reveal a green/red mixture, with a predominance of green and a resulting dark green. Understood so far?
Let's summarize : the reading of a mixture goes from one color (initial dominant) to an associated color (dominated), in the vertical direction. In contrast, the reading of an initial dominant color to an associated color is done in the horizontal direction.
Check out the diagram below for an understanding of colored interactions!
In conclusion : with a simple box of 12 colors, combined two by two, generates an impressive total of 144 colors . Wow! Compare with the color charts available from retailers, regardless of the brand, you will probably recognize several similar colors.
In addition, this color chart will serve as a practical tool: when you want to obtain a specific color, simply consult your color chart, and that's it!
Let's take a close look at the results of these mixtures. We can see that some are hot, while others are cold. Color combinations vary in interest, and this arises from the combination of warm and cool dominants.
The ideal is to select blends that appeal to you visually and that you find aesthetically pleasing. To optimize this approach, consider creating a checklist of your favorite blends!
PLAYING WITH COLORS AND THEIR SHADES
Now that you have put together a color chart with a palette of 144 colors, the next challenge is to use them optimally. However, there is a catch: everyone has their own way of mixing, some add more pigments, others more water.
This means that each color chart will be unique, which can be a problem when trying to reproduce the colors of a model like a landscape or other.
Let's say you're looking for the ideal blue for a clear sky. You look at your color chart and spot shades 9 and 10 (cobalt blue and cerulean blue) as possible options. But the shade does not exactly match that of your sky, which may be more intense or lighter.
To remedy this, here's a simple tip: take your base mixture and create three different shades. Highlight cobalt blue (shade 9) or cerulean blue (shade 10) to bring the desired shine to life. Follow the diagrams below to see how to do this.
So, by adopting this simple method, you will be able to better use your color chart to successfully reproduce the colors of your models.
Diagram with more quantity of color No. 10 (ceruleum blue):
Diagram with more quantity of color N°9 (cobalt blue):
In summary: as demonstrated in the previous diagrams, from basic mixtures between two colors, whether one is dominant (with more cobalt blue, for example) or dominated (with less cerulean blue) and vice versa , we can create variations of 3 shades for each blend.
The logic here is simple: let's assume that the base mixture is more pigmented, defined as the base solution (more pigments and less water). We'll then thin it with more water to get the second box, then even more for the third.
Let's make an easy-to-remember parallel: the first box represents a dark shade, the second an intermediate shade, and the third a light shade. Why do we need to create 3 shades? This is an essential rule in watercolor (and applicable to other artistic techniques), known as the "rule of 3 shades".
This rule, fundamental for representing perspective and bringing volumes to life in a composition, will be explained in detail in a future article!
- The rule of 3 shades has another use : it makes it easier to find and identify colors. By adopting this approach, you will not only be able to enrich your watercolor compositions, but also simplify your color selection process.
NEW COLORFUL HORIZONS
Another example: Ready for a new color adventure? This time, let's dive into the world of yellow greens by experimenting with mixtures. For this exploration, we will rely on the mixing method presented in chapter 2, "The art of mastering watercolor mixtures": yellow greens section see chapter 2 The colors in the spotlight are the numbers 1, 7 and 5.
In terms of quantity, we'll use familiar symbols: the (+) sign to add one color and the (-) sign to subtract another. For the first mixture, observe how the green becomes more pronounced.
In the second case, observe how the green tends more towards yellow, creating a warm autumnal atmosphere. And the magic happens when you break it all down into 3 shades, as illustrated in the diagrams above and below. The difference between a more intense base color and a lighter one is a game changer!
You can also venture out with combinations of two colors from your color chart, creating other greens see color chart of 144 colors . Let your creativity guide you and see how these subtle blends can bring new nuances to life. Through this experience, you will discover the exciting art of playing with colors and mixtures in watercolor.
HARMONIOUS WATERCOLOR SHADES TO EXPERIMENT: IT’S UP TO YOU
Ready to Play with Colors?
Welcome to the practical phase! To help you, I have developed a basic color chart sheet, divided into 4 rows to allow you to experiment with your color mixtures. This sheet will guide you through rectangular boxes dedicated to the colors you choose to mix, following the color chart of 144 combinations two-color (see above).
You will encounter round spaces to indicate the quantities (+ and -), small rectangles to number the colors according to the classification of the 12 colors in your box, and finally, three large spaces to decline your mixture in 3 shades, from darkest to lighter (pigmented shades, a little diluted, more diluted).
You also have the option to explore 3-color mixing, as covered in Chapter 2 see here , with specific combinations for greens, beiges, grays, dark tones, and many others.
Note that this sheet offers 4 rows, equivalent to two variations between a “dominant” and “dominated” color. For enthusiasts, more elaborate models with 5 to 6 rows are offered with their corresponding color sheets, accessible by subscribing to my Newsletter.
In the meantime, download this sheet and get started with your 12 colors! Give free rein to your creativity and explore the endless possibilities offered by color mixtures. It's up to you to play and express your harmonious watercolor color chart!
In practice : example with two mixtures of blue and yellow-green:
CONCLUSION: THE HIDDEN TREASURES IN YOUR WATERCOLOR BOX
"Well done for following this colorful journey so far! We saw together the nuances of colors, deciphered the subtleties between hot and cold, celebrated the beautiful combinations of colors in chapter 2 see here , and even delved into the basics of primaries and complementary in chapter 1 see here . We have also organized and created color charts to reveal an infinite palette, from light to dark, as seen in this chapter see here
I hope all of this has enlightened your ideas about the art of color mixing in watercolor. It's normal if it may seem a little complex, but each piece of knowledge counts to create works rich in life and emotion.
If these explanations seem clear to you, great!
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Your feedback is valuable in adapting my advice to your needs. And above all, if other subjects still seem unclear to you or if you dream of discovering new facets of watercolor, I am here to enlighten your path. Watercolor is an ongoing adventure, and together we can continue to learn, and grow this passion for this technique.
See you soon
Rachael
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