Viridian, Ultramarine, Permanent Rose and Indian Yellow

Viridian, Ultramarine, Permanent Rose and Indian Yellow  watercolours and acrylic paints.

Viridian and Permanent Rose are complements; Ultramarine blue and Indian yellow are near complements and they pair up harmoniously, whether in watercolours, acrylics or oils and are in my palette for both of the paintings shown.

First painting “Bird of Paradise”  is a representational painting using watercolours in a limited palette, which helps keep colour fresh and unmuddied. This is more of a botanical approach relying on lines and drawing to a certain degree.

 

Scarred. The old tattered bird of paradise leaf with its many textures and  patterns hints of a life well lived.

It captured my eye. I loved its curling bits and the intricate shapes created by the tears and rips. The peek a boo views of the viridian green background behind was fascinating.

 

The last photograph is the acrylic abstract sculptural painting created with viridian, ultramarine, permananent rose, indian yellow, plus white. Totally non representational, I wished to convey the beautiful textures that exist beyond the merely “pretty.”

This painting included some collage, torn paper, glue, mixed media to help provide the textural effects. I went over the painting with numerous layers of paint, glazes and finishing touches to get the texture so it looked nearly sculptural.

Ultramarine blue is the base layer, peeking out from the darker green. Permanent Rose is added in subtly,  with a strong mix of Indian yellow/Permanent rose rubbed in through the front. A lighter frost green is rubbed across the peaks of the canvas, creating highlights.

The sequential application of the colours – ultramarine blue in the Background and the warmer Indian yellow mix in the Foreground – creates the illusion of depth, even in a nonrepresentational Abstract painting.

 

Beyond one painting being watercolour and representational – it is also warm biased and ‘flatter,’  not sculptural; whereas, the acrylic abstract is cool biased and much more sculptural.  The sculptural effects created will evoke a tactile response in the viewer whereas a completely non textured painting isn’t likely to do so.

Warm evokes different sensations to the viewer than Cool; Warm is more welcoming, inviting, gives more energy and heat; whereas Cool is calmer, refreshing, serene, distance, spacious.