painting tips Archives – Celebrating Color

How Does Your Art Make You Feel?

September 8, 2019 By Carol McIntyre

Don’t we all want to improve as creatives? One of the many reasons I love about being an artist is that there is always something to learn and to improve upon. As a life-long-learner it revs my engine. Is this true for you as well?

This post was inspired by listening to a recent Nicholas Wilton video https://www.art2life.com/2019/08/18/where-are-you-looking/ It sparked me to start thinking about my practice as an artist. He begins by asking if we are wanting to improve upon or up-level our art. If so, where do we look to determine how to make these improvements?

There is a logical tendency to look at the end product for answers. After all, critiques are a common occurrence in our profession and they usually happen when a painting is completed. However, Wilton suggests that we look at the beginning of our creative process. I had never thought of this, have you? It’s a great question. [Read more…]

How to Paint Sunshine? What is the Key?

October 8, 2018 By Carol McIntyre

The sun is beaming and you see a tree all lit up. Question: “How to paint sunshine?”

Most painters are drawn to the light, whether it is created by Mother Nature or interior light. It’s ethereal and a challenge to capture in paint. The problem we have to solve is trying to create this sensation while using human-made products. And, in essence, we are trying to paint air with solid materials.

Recently, I spent a week in the Colorado Rockies basking in the sun and in awe of its magic while gazing upon the changing aspen leaves. It’s truly glorious to hike, sit or stand while marveling the yellow light created when the sun bounces off of those golden aspen leaves. It’s captivating especially when there is a light breeze. Notice in the white on the leaves in the photo on the right.

During this same week, I happened upon a week long plein air event that included over 30 artists painting in the area. This culminated in a show at the Steamboat Museum of Art in Steamboat Springs, CO. This was my first time attending such an event and it was exciting and fascinating to peruse over 100 paintings.

Much to my dismay, I was surprised to see that few paintings adequately, in my humble opinion, and effectively displayed how to paint sunshine.

What is the Key to “How to Paint Sunshine?”

[Read more…]

“Let’s Mix Green!” Workshop

September 12, 2018 By Carol McIntyre

Has mixing green ever been frustrating?

Learn an easy-to-use color mixing strategy for your greens. With only a few tubes of paint, you learn how to mix natural-looking greens. You will create color charts which you will then be able to apply to future paintings and for all four seasons. Carol demonstrates mixing color throughout the workshop. Green will soon be a joy for you to mix! Kermit is excited that green will be “easy.”

This workshop is for advanced beginner to intermediate painters. Oil, watercolor, water-mixable oil, and acrylic painters of all styles are welcome.

Date: Sunday, October 7th

Time: 12:30pm-4:30pm

Location: Manitou Art Center, 513 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829

Phone: 719-68501861

Materials: A supply list will be provided.

Optional: Students may bring 1 to 2 paintings for feedback.

MAC Members: $45
Non-members: $50

Register@https://manitouartcenter.wildapricot.org/event-3050853

Please share this workshop information with your fellow artists. If you do not live in the Colorado Springs region and would like me to teach in your area, please contact me at: carol@mcintyrefineart.com

Colorfully and gratefully yours,

Carol

How Do You Mix Mud?

August 31, 2018 By Carol McIntyre

Have you ever mixed mud? Silly question, I know. It happens to all of us no matter our skill level. And it can be a real source of frustration and angst.

Have you ever asked how to mix mud or why it happens? Perhaps some of you have heard, “If you mix three or more colors, your chances of making mud go up significantly.” There is some truth to this statement. However, there is an actual answer to the question “How do you mix mud?”

Let me pose a question: If you mixed the three tubes of paints listed below, which combination will result in mud and which will be less muddy? 1 or 2?

Cadmium red light, cerulean blue and alizarin crimson
Hansa yellow light, cerulean blue and ultramarine blue

Sample swatches are painted here.

From top to bottom, cerulean, cadmium red light and alizarin crimson

2. From top to bottom, cerulean, Hansa yellow light, ultramarine blue

Next, this image shows the result of mixing cerulean with alizarin. At the top of the swatch is a purplish color. I thinned it out at the top with a little medium so that it is easier to see the hue. It is a delightful desaturated rose purple or eggplant color. [Read more…]

What Are the Three Characteristics of Every Color?

May 25, 2018 By Carol McIntyre

How quickly can you state the three characteristics of every color? Perhaps you have known what they are and have forgotten or this is new to you. In any case, it is good to know these characteristics when mixing and applying color. I like to think of each and every color as a tool in my paint box and I need to know each one well.

One way to get to know or to revisit these ‘tools’ is by creating a Color Chart that contains a swatch of every color you own noting the three characteristics. The directions to such a chart can be found in my post, How to be Intimate with Your Colors.

What Are the Three Characteristics of Every Color?

They are: hue, value and chroma. [Read more…]