As a general reminder: Before I begin a painting, I choose the four main colors for the entire painting from this color wheel. I don't have to guess what the combination should be! I have found, choosing the colors beforehand, I paint more confidently, loosely and not linger as long in specific areas.
Keep this formula in mind:
Dominant Color - 80%
Focal Point Color - 10%
Spice Color - 5%
Spice Color - 5%
I splash the
dominant color tones all over the surface -
about 80%. For me, it's like splashing in a mud puddle in the rain. I play first.
The
focal point color
(think 10%) is positioned next in the painting - it's where the eye goes. I refer to the focal point as a "speed bump" - It slows down the eye.
The last two colors - the
spice colors - are layered sparingly -
5% each - next to the focal point color. All this is done quickly so I can go back in and continue to move more color around, scape and play.
This is how I begin a painting, whether it is an abstract or realistic. Get the process of painting to move forward with a theme, a concept, a sense of purpose and a title. Establish the title first - before you even start.
When you work matches the title... it's finished!
In this video demo - I am working on a painting that I had already started - the Color Combination is based on
Red-Yellow as the Dominant Color. You can see me reestablish the focal point and add spice colors.
Have FUN with this exercise!
