Discussing Color Schemes - Part 1 - Phil Starke Studio
Phil Starke Studio

Discussing Color Schemes – Part 1

The trouble with painting from color photoraphs is the color in the photographs.  It’s usually not very good even though with digial technology it’s certainly better but not as good as seeing the real thing.  A good way of dealing with photographic color is to work in color schemes.  Picking a scheme that best represents the mood or lighting in your reference.  For instanced an “analogous color scheme“ works well for a sunset.  An analogous scheme is using 3 to 5 colors on the color wheel that are next to each other.  So an orange, red-orange, red, red-violet and violet would work well in giving you the close color range that you have in a sunset.  The first example by Edgar Payne uses violet, red-violet, red, red-orange and orange palette.  This second painting is by Maurice Braun has a yellow-green, green, blue-green, & blue palette to create a very peaceful and high key landscape. 

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6 comments
Cindy S says May 4, 2010

Phil,
This is a wonderful blog. Every article I’ve read so far is both interesting and educational. I especially like this one, “Discussing Color Schemes – Part 1”.

Thanks so much for taking the time to make this such a great place to visit.

Cindy

Reply
    Phil Starke says May 4, 2010

    Thanks Cindy, glad you’re enjoying it.

    Reply
Cindy S says May 4, 2010

Phil,
This is a wonderful blog. Every article I’ve read so far is both interesting and educational. I especially like this one, “Discussing Color Schemes – Part 1”.

Thanks so much for taking the time to make this such a great place to visit.

Cindy

Reply
    Phil Starke says May 4, 2010

    Thanks Cindy, glad you’re enjoying it.

    Reply
Fred says January 4, 2011

I also applaude your blog. The explanation is both simple to understand and insightful. A light goes on.Thanks,
Fred

Reply
Fred says January 4, 2011

I also applaude your blog. The explanation is both simple to understand and insightful. A light goes on.Thanks,
Fred

Reply
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