A surprising study

A lot of my time in the studio comes in one or two hour blocks, usually during the evening on “school nights” (I work full time). I’m not sure how other artists work, but when I get going on a painting, I like to have the option of staying with it for three to four hours.

So what to do with those blocks of time in the evenings? There’s no shortage of ideas! Working in the art journal, learning with online tutorials, planning paintings, plus color studies in oil, acrylic or watercolor.

The top row is transparent red oxide & cobalt blue mixed with various yellows. Bottom row is burnt sienna & cobalt mixed with those same yellows.
The top row is transparent red oxide & cobalt blue mixed with various yellows. Bottom row is burnt sienna & cobalt mixed with those same yellows.

A great way to learn the characteristics of watercolors is to create “two and one” triads, where the two sides remain the same color, and the center changes each time. The color is dropped onto wet paper, and more water is added to get the paints to really move. This is a great way to learn how different colors behave when wet, and also how they change as they blend and dry.

Red oxide and cobalt blue, waiting for the “wild card” color.

As I was working a triad of transparent red oxide, cobalt blue (side colors) and mars yellow, I was surprised at how the yellow behaved. Unlike most yellows that turn green on contact with blue, mars yellow held its own, shading more towards grey.

The first blending of red oxide, cobalt blue and mars yellow
The first blending of red oxide, cobalt blue and mars yellow.

As I tipped the paper side-to-side to blend the colors more, it was fascinating to see how the colors reacted to each other.

Tilting the paper side-to-side forces the colors to blend more - and faster - than if left alone.
Tilting the paper side-to-side forces the colors to blend more – and faster – than if left alone.

In the final, dry study (top of post), there are lovely mixes of earthy browns and greys, with undertones of the blue and yellow – and even a hint of violet. Knowing how these colors mix, and having a page full of reminders, is invaluable when I have the time to spend on a “real” painting!