Color Charts for Painters

It’s easy to make your own color charts with your own paints. The photo above shows one method of making a color chart.  These are Winsor & Newton Artisan water mixable oil paints.  The company puts out a chart too with teeny tiny photos of the colors.  I drew straight lines with a ruler and permanent marker on 9” X 12” gessoed canvas paper (these come in a pad and are not too expensive).

Since I was just interested in seeing what the colors looked like in a larger view, I did one chart for each group of colors. I also did one for the neutrals, but it is not shown here.  Across the top row I wrote the color name and noted if the color was opaque (“O”) or transparent (“T”).  I painted the actual colors in that color family on the second row.  On the third row down, I added transparent white to each color.  On the fourth row down, I chose yellow ochre to mix with it on some of the charts.  The other rows vary depending on what I wanted to see. (You can enlarge the photo above by clicking on it).

I took a color mixing class in acrylic paints a few years back. The charts we made there were more about color mixing. These were done on acrylic paper. (photo below)

Top left chart shows primary colors, red on left in box 1, yellow in middle box 3, blue on right in box 5.  Other charts are variations on color mixing.  Most of them show the first row had one color on the left (box #1) and the one we wanted to mix it with in box #5 on the right. Then we mixed the two colors together 50/50 and put that mix in box #3. Again mixed box #3 with #1 into #2; then #5 (original color) and mix #3 into #4.  The second row down were the top row mixes mixed with titanium white. The third row down contained the first row’s mixes mixed with neutral gray; and the fourth row down contained the top row’s mixes mixed with black.  These can be done with any medium, not just acrylic paints. I added some other mixes in box #6 to see what they looked like.

Basically, most of us know that when we mix blue and yellow, we get green. But with pigments there are many yellows and many blues, so we will get many shades of green.  Making color charts will help with decision making when you are painting.

On my own, I decided to try to figure out what my paint tubes looked like, which ones were transparent and which ones were opaque.  I made another series of charts (below).

In these my first column contained my artist grade paints. The second column contained my student grade paints and the last column contained some craft paints I also had from other projects.  It was interesting to see the differences in the different grades of paint. The black line down was to help me determine which paints were opaque (full coverage) and which ones were transparent.

These are tedious exercises, but worthwhile and you will have your own color charts with your paints to refer to for every painting.  If you are really serious, you can note down your mix ratios too (as can be seen in books about color theory).

Happy painting!

Back to School Part 2

More work in progress. I hope to finish this one at my next oil painting class. This is my attempt at another urban landscape, 16" X 20", water mixable oil paint on stretched canvas. The teacher is really helping me focus on values, dark and light, to make the scene interesting and improve my painting techniques.   I had started this painting a while ago, took a break while I worked on the big bridge painting (previous post) and have been working on it again now. The mounted police were in front of Veterans Park in downtown Manchester.  I don't have a title yet for this painting.

This was lesson 4, a couple of weeks ago.  My heart is not in working on still life paintings, but it is good exercise.  This was an example of metal and reflections. I worked in the same oil paints on a canvas board, 9" x 12".   The urban painting above was worked on for Lessons 5 and 6, plus I started a new painting (below).

As I was thinking about what to bring to class for Lesson 6, I cropped a photo from Pittsburg, NH of the First Connecticut Lake.  I bought a 9" x 12" Ampersand panel from the school store to try out.  I wasn't too happy with it as the oil paint really seems to smear, but I'll keep at it for a while. I did my initial sketch as a kind of negative painting, putting the design in between the birch trees. I'll keep working on this one for a while. The birch trees are not really white, so I'll be introducing some more subtle colors into them.

In between classes, I made color charts with my oil paints. I had done that with my acrylic paints when I was studying acrylic painting.  I found this very helpful.  I do not have really good color vision (I roll my eyes when I hear someone say they see "green" or "purple" in something that looks white to me).  Having the color charts with the mixes is very helpful. These are a bit tedious to make up, but worthwhile. I'll take some photos and post them next time.

Painting on a large canvas

This was my first experience painting on such a large canvas. The canvas was not mounted on stretcher bars so that created another issue.  This project was done as a winter project as part of my Friends of Art Manchester group for another non-profit, Webster House . The painting above is acrylic on canvas and is approximately 4’ x 5’.  I thought it might be interesting to some of my readers to learn about the process.

If you have been following this blog for a while, you know that I had already made two studies of this scene, one is 8” x 10” and the second one is 16” X 20”. The larger one is currently on display at the Triangle Credit Union (Manchester, NH) for the month of March.  I submitted it to the Manchester Artists Association  and won one of the “Artist of the Month” certificates.

The walls at Webster House are very large and very bare, giving it an institutional feel.  Since we had already done two projects for Families in Transition , I thought Webster House might like something similar.  I made an appointment and went in to speak with the director.  He was thrilled with our idea and agreed to pay for the materials.  I measured the walls and figured that the small paintings we had done in the past would not work with those walls.  We had done a mural during the summer (30 feet long by 3 feet high). Each artist had a space of 3’ x 3’.  I thought we could go a little bigger. We did not want to do another mural as we wanted the paintings to be movable.

I priced out the canvas materials and asked for some samples from Big Duck Canvas.  They were happy to send me some samples. We agreed on the #12 primed canvas.  It would be very messy for us to have to prime the canvas first.  After more discussion, we decided to get extra canvas so that we could get a good discount and two of our members bought the extra.  One of our members warned us to buy the canvas on a roll, not folded as it would be difficult to get the folds out. That was good advice and we bought a roll of 12 yards.

Cutting the canvas to size was an interesting project as none of us had a big table. So we measured and cut the canvas on a cardboard mat on the floor.  Two of us had sewing machines and we stitched the edges of the canvas, making a big enough hem at the top for a curtain rod.  We thought about grommets to attach the canvas to the wall, but decided curtain rods would be easier.

Unfortunately hanging the blank canvas from the curtain rods did not provide a good, stiff surface to work on.  I bought a staple gun (for my smaller hands, my husband’s big one was too hard for me to use) and stapled the canvas to the wall.  I borrowed an Epson projector and projected the image on the canvas.  It was going to be way to much work to do a grid, which is what I usually do to go from 8” x 10” to 16” x 20”.  If you are thinking about buying an opaque projector, investigate carefully. The cheaper ones do not work well unless your room is completely dark.

 

This is what the image looked like projecting from my computer onto the canvas that was stapled on the wall.

Next step was to draw out the basic shapes. I did not need too much detail, but I needed the shapes to be in the correct proportions to each other. Photo below shows what the canvas looked like when the projector was turned off.

I started painting from the top down. I used a big brush and a step stool, but even so this was a little difficult for me, but I was enjoying seeing the painting progress. I used blue painter’s tape (like masking tape) to help me with the straight lines of the bridge, the pylons and mill buildings.

I started to add a little more detail.

Unfortunately, when I put in the river, I thought it would be better to leave a blank white area for the railing.  That did not work and I had to paint over the railing and repaint part of the river. I used a lighter cerulean blue/white mix underneath and a darker blue (Prussian) mix over it to give more of a sense of the river water (which is actually a bit rough in that area).

Once I fixed the river and had the railing in, I continued with underpainting some areas. I also got some help from another artist on some of the colors.  I had a hard time with the colors on the pylons.

And the final view while still stapled to the wall.  After I removed the staples, I had to touch up the canvas that was under the staples, but that was the easy part.  Deciding when the painting was actually done and not keep fiddling with it was harder.  This was a very challenging project and I was happy to take on the challenge. It took me over one month to complete.

Back to School

I have started back to school again, taking an oil painting class at New Hampshire Institute of Art. This is an evening class for continuing education students.  So far we are doing still lifes, definitely not my favorite. I struggled with them in my drawing classes too.  The other part that is hard for me is that I have no emotional or spiritual connection to oranges, apples, pitchers, cubes etc. However, as an artist, I need to look at the shapes and their relationship to each other. Then I try to get them on the canvas somewhat in proportion (definitely not doing too well with this yet). Once the images are on the canvas, I am learning how to mix the colors (also not too accurate yet) and values (light/dark) on the objects.  I'm hoping that my struggles with this medium will be worthwhile and will help me with other media too.

Lesson 1 was dreadful. When I brought it home, I fixed the color on the orange a little better, but the objects were not in proportion. I sort of remembered how to do the folds in the drapery.  I liked the feel of the paint.

Lesson 2 was a little better. The teacher had to help me with perspective. He also showed me how making the shadows a bit darker really helps the image.  Again, I enjoyed doing the drapery folds.

Lesson 3 was on white objects with a splash of color. I didn't get the pitcher shape right (again, I need more practice with measuring objects), but I liked the way it came out.  I didn't pay close attention to the dark drapery in the back and later on realized it was a dark blue, not black. Good thing I don't have to worry about getting graded on my artwork!

Meanwhile, I am still working on my 4' x 5' canvas project with acrylic paints. I am enjoying that and hope to finish it within the next 2-3 weeks.  Then I can focus more on the oil paints. As a landscape painter I would like to be able to do more plein air painting and that definitely works better with oil paints. Acrylic paints dry too quickly.

On the positive side during this week, I sold a painting! Naturally, it was a beautiful flower. A good choice to look at when there is so much snow outside, over 80 inches so far (this is higher than 2 meters). Cards and prints are available on my website of that painting. I'm happy with the winter, but a little tired of shoveling so much snow. 

A snowy winter and painting process

It's been a good winter for cross country skiing, but we are getting a little tired of shoveling and snow blowing. I feel sorry for the birds too. Any time I put out seeds, they get covered by the snow, or the squirrels dig them out first. Anyway, I still like snow and cold weather, but I'll be happy when the seasons change too.

Meanwhile, I have been enjoying painting.  I have started on the 4' x 5' canvas for my art project with Friends of Art Manchester.  We are painting big panels for Webster House.  It has been interesting just figuring out how to paint this size canvas since it is not on a frame or stretcher bars. We tried curtain rods (and that is how they will be hung when finished).  I took down paintings I had on the wall in my studio and stapled the large canvas up.  The wall already had some holes in it and needs repainting anyway, so I will do that in the spring. We bought the primed canvas online. I posted a review (before I started actually painting).

This is the same scene that I have at the top of the blog.  The top painting is 16" X 20".  In my last post I think I wrote about scaling up from 8" x 10" to 16" x 20".  I did a grid for those studies.  I borrowed a projector to scale my original photo up on this big canvas.  It was much easier than doing a grid and I'm thinking about buying a small projector for myself (although I am happy with 16" x 20" and don't know if I'll go much larger with my painting).

Meanwhile I signed up for an oil painting class (continuing education) at New Hampshire Institute of Art and I'm back to doing still lifes.  I don't actually enjoy them, but I'm determined to learn how to paint with the water mixable oils so that I can eventually do more plein air painting (that's very hard to do with acrylic paints as they dry so quickly).  I am not going to post that first painting here since I was very unhappy with it. I'll try harder this week and hope to get the proportions and colors correct. I did learn one very important thing to share - do the darkest darks first. (With acrylics, you can always add layers). Because the oils take so long to dry, you really can't keep going over them to make them darker. Hope this helps some of my readers.

I'm also working on another urban painting scene, but this one has to wait for me to finish the big canvas first.  Here is a little glimpse of this work in process. I have been taking photos of this painting along the way and I will post some of the steps when it is all done.

And a few more winter scenes from cross country skiing in Auburn (NH). The top scenes were in Hooksett, NH at Dube's Pond. It was a much sunnier day on the trail in Auburn.

Palette Knife Painting

Spring Blossoms, Oil 8" X 10"

I have been working hard on a detailed painting of the Merrimack River under the bridge in Manchester, NH. So I gave myself a break and took out a sheet of canvas paper, taped it to a board and just played with a few oil colors and a palette knife.  I had seen a video as an example, but used my own image as an inspiration (crabapple blossoms in the spring).  I thought about using a more oriental style for this, simplifying my photo, just keeping the basics.  I used four colors only, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium yellow and alizarin crimson. This was really fun and I can understand why people are attracted to palette knife painting. It does use up much more paint than a brush. Next time I'll try it with acrylic paint and see if I like that as much.

I liked my initial study of "By the Bridge", 8" x 10" on board and decided to make a 16" X 20" on canvas as well.  I painted these from one of my photos that I took recently (on a very cold day, but very little snow around.)  The image is for a proposal for my art group, Friends of Art Manchester. We will be doing a project for Webster House in Manchester during the winter. You can see the proposals that were submitted on their website.

By the Bridge study, acrylic, 8" X 10"

This is my initial study with acrylic paints. I think I might play with it some more using the oil paints now.

By the Bridge, acrylic, 16" X 20", WIP

I am almost done with this one now.  Every time I look at it, I see a few more details I need to fix. That is why I enjoyed painting the blossoms - no details!  I actually like doing both kinds of paintings, with details and without. I find it much more enjoyable when I don't have to worry about straight lines and perspective. But I do enjoy the final product when I have worked my way through all the issues.

I have signed up for an oil painting class at New Hampshire Institute of Art.   It is a continuing education class in the evening.  I have taken classes there in the past and I hope this one will help me with my struggles learning how to paint with oil paints.  There's always something new to learn with art.

Exhibit and Reception on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015

I have two paintings on exhibit through the Manchester Artists Association. While the reception is this Saturday, the paintings will be up at the Audubon Center in Auburn through the middle of February.

There are hiking trails at the center. If there is enough snow, these trails are also available for cross country skiing and snow shoeing. There is no fee to use the trails.

For more information and directions: http://www.nhaudubon.org/about/centers/massabesic/

Painting from photos

Max and Abe by the shore. Oil, 8" X 10". A little study from a photo I took in Israel in 2012.

The composition of  the original photo (above) left a lot to be desired. I didn't want my friends to be looking out of the edge of the painting. I tried using Photoshop to rearrange the composition, but eventually decided that cut and paste would work better for me.  So I printed out the photo, both in black and white and in color and moved the pieces around. I decided that less of the lake would look better too as I wanted the focal point to be on the men, not the lake. I didn't think the bird was needed either.

I'm not sure if the painting is done. I'll leave it for a few weeks and see if I feel that I need to do something more. It is study and I didn't like it enough to make a larger painting. The photo was taken at the International Birding and Research Center in Eilat, Israel (this is at the southern tip of Israel). I don't remember if this was an actual lake, or just an inlet from the sea.

Meanwhile I started a more abstract painting in brighter colors of clouds, mountains and water. I'm not sure when I'll figure out if that is done or not. I'll post it next week.

I'm also working on a study for an urban painting that will eventually be 4' x 5'.  This is for a canvas panel that will be donated to a non-profit children's home and is part of a project from my Friends of Art Manchester group. My husband and I went down to the millyard in Manchester one cold day and took photos of the bridge, mill buildings and the river.  My study is of an urban scene for the painting which will eventually go into a conference room.  It should be interesting if my study is approved as I will have to grid it up from 8" X 10" to 4' X 5'. I know how to do that, but it can be tedious. Even if it is not approved, I may do a larger 16" X 20" painting since I have that size canvas in stock and I like the image.

Happy Holidays

Whatever holiday you celebrate, I wish you peace and creativity. This prayer is available as a video you may enjoy listening to and watching, with Judy Collins and Richard Stoltzman:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRejYkJOYJM
If you like the image above, it is available on my website. I have two different images there with the same prayer.

We are celebrating the 8 days of Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah) now.  It is interesting to see the various spellings when taking a word from a different language (especially one with a different alphabet) and trying to put it into English. I've also had a good laugh this year seeing all the parodies available online with Chanukah prayers (some new/some old) set to popular music.

We will be having 10 for dinner tomorrow evening, some will be celebrating Chanukah for the first time.  I wrote a little poem thinking about that.

Chanukah – 2014

What brings us together on this holiday?

We come from many different places,

cultures and religions

but we have all settled in America.

My father came here 100 years ago from Minsk,

my mother’s family came from what is now Ukraine,

others at the table came from the Philippines

and still others were born in America,

but their families came from Poland and

other European countries.

Yet we gather here to light these Chanukah candles,

join in a festive meal, perhaps sing a little,

pray together a little and get to know each other.

What brings us together is love,

the respect we have for each other

and the love of our children for each other.

My hope at this time is that this love

will go out into the world

spread its sparks around

and help make a difference.

Chag Sameach.

©Linda H. Feinberg
(Chag Sameach is Hebrew for Happy Holiday)

Urban scene

I decided to try a sketch of an urban scene instead of my usual landscapes. I found that I didn't like this as much, probably because I find more inspiration in the trees, woods, mountains and lakes of my region (New England). When I travel, I tend to look for the same kind of scenery too.

Meanwhile, these buildings have stayed in my mind since 2006 when I was on a trip to Israel.  I found the apartment building in Tel Aviv interesting (photo below of actual building). I had taken a picture from the hotel balcony, so I was looking down at the scene. I was impressed with all the solar panels on the roofs of so many buildings in Israel. These are not as practical in our climate, but some people do have them (including my son).

I found that I do not have any desire to paint this scene, but I did enjoy sketching it in pen and ink (in pencil first).

We had a big storm here on Thanksgiving and lost power for two days. Brr.... It was very cold and we spent the third night at my son's house (he had power and heat). We were very thankful when we came home to find that the power was back on. I still like winter, but we do not have a fireplace or woodstove.  Several of our neighbors have purchased generators. Some photos below of my wintry neighborhood.

The snow was very heavy and broke some of the branches off the pine tree. We cleaned it up and now most of the snow has melted (until the next storm).

We have one more craft fair this weekend. I have been very disappointed with sales at fairs this year. I probably won't do many next year. I'm going to continue painting as I enjoy it, but I'll have to figure out another way to sell my artwork locally. My cards have been selling well on my website and I'll continue to post new work there as well. You can now buy cell phone covers and throw pillows with my designs directly from the website.