Color Mixing

I used to purely mix color based on what my eye saw. Maybe I should preface that comment with the additional fact that I tend to see saturated or high key color all the time. So I was mixing color all the time with a heightened key, based on it's root hue (like lemon yellow or cadmium yellow), focusing on the value of the color and it's relationship with the values of the colors laid down around it.

It hasn't been until recently that I've realized how much more powerful my paintings can be if I instead focus primarily on the color temperature and less so on matching what the base or root hue is. I'm enjoying this diversion and all it is teaching me.

Winter Lingers

Above is a journal page from my sketchbook.  Titled "Winter Lingers," the theme for this year's spring break, heralded by 7" of newly fallen snow on Monday. 

First I painted the spread in a graduated wash of blue, meant to represent the 24 hour heavy snowfall we had. Then I used my own lino-cut for the lower grasses - a series of flower and leaf designs carved into a Staedtler eraser. The snowflakes came from a purchased stamp, and the sequin embellishments were from my daughter's stash.

I had a great time painting alongside my daughter, and talking about images of spring. I'm discovering journalling allows me the opportunity to work side-by-side with a variety of people in a relaxed environment.

I'll be leading several classes on Creative Journalling this summer. You can see the schedule on my website.

I am also enjoying creating my own little linoleum stamps, despite the serious chunk of thumb sacrificed during the carving of my first design. Pushing to expand my creative comfort zone is always a great way to keep the blood flowing - quite literally!!

Thanks for looking at my art,

Kim 

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com