Less is More, Limited Palette (Oils)

contemporary minimalist oil landscape, limited palette, less is more, debi riley art

Taking stock and reassessing.

Slogging up the path  to the top of the knoll to have a good look around.

 

 

contemporary minimalist oil landscape, limited palette, less is more, debi riley art
From The Hill, Oil Landscape, debiriley.com

 

 

From The Hill,

I’ll make some new discoveries and pare back to the core basics.

To what is important.

To the bare bones of what is needed to get the job done effectively.

 

 

 

 

Discoveries I’ve Made

 

Discovering that less is more.

…..this discovery takes time to sink in.

 

 

And its only after many, many  trips up the mountain overloaded with superfluous ‘stuff’  equipment and gear. Long after the exhaustion sets in.

The realisation sinks in.

 

All this “stuff” is  just plain tiresome.

I don’t need all those things that I thought I did.

 

I really only,  need,  The Basics.

 

 

 

Limited Palette

By limiting my palette to 3 colors,  I lighten my load.

Perhaps I’m even eager to go   CLIMB  the mountain again.

 

You know, Climbing 2 is hard work.

 

 

 

Less.

Less equipment. Less burden. Less overwhelmed.   Less frustration.

wow.   That sounds really good to me!

 

 

Materials – 

I’ve used 3 oil paint colors:

White, Burnt Sienna, Cobalt.

And,  then for a dash of texture and added depth – I whacked on a bit of  soft charcoal.

 

 

A limited palette of 3 colors liberates me.

 

minimalist oil landscape, less is more, debi riley art and painting tips
Minimalist Oil Landscape, debiriley.com

 

 

Published by debiriley

The act of creation, in any media is a fascinating and magical process. I simply love to create. Expressing in color, line, tone, texture - as if, they were words upon a page. Creating a uniquely me, interpretation. Enjoy More of my "one-of-a-kind" expressive art at society6.com/debiriley and, redbubble.com/people/debijriley/shop

23 thoughts on “Less is More, Limited Palette (Oils)

  1. How beautiful all your paintings (posts), I wasn’t on pc and I watched and read them as pages of an art book… it was amazing. Thank you dear Debi, have a nice day, Love, nia

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Great post, interesting use of charcoal, I often use under oil paint, but never on top, might give that a try, did you wait for it to dry, or use the charcoal when the oil was wet? I guess it would need to be fixed at some point….could be an interesting technique for me to try with the horses. Thank you

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    1. thanks!! it was on dry. I do the unconventional and non traditional…lol I do not use fixative. as long as I’m not silly with it, no problems.
      If I were going to sell it, I’d go over it with an black oil bar though.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. its a thought I have to deliberately, remind myself of always as well… Thank you Jodi, I always enjoy your cheery, sunny comments 🙂

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    1. thank you LL! and, there are many more who have gone before me, who are true masters of conveying everything! with 3-4 mere strokes…. ahhh. I will get there.

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    1. I did the unthinkable and the unconventional, Beth.
      I did not. I left it alone.
      as long as I don’t do Silly things, its all good. No problems.
      I do NOT like fixatives, at all. They, are a problem.

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      1. the painting is just in my own house. so its fine. I’ve done another one from a long time ago & its still ok.
        but, if it was needing to be sold… I’d go over the charcoal with a big black oil bar stick.

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  3. Really enjoyed Less is More, Limited Palette. I too think your Art quite wonderful. Thanks also for making me step back and think before I approach a painting.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. hi Susan, I’m so pleased that you liked the article!! Its great to get feedback from you and the other readers too about how a specific post is going. Thank you, for your comments! 🙂 cheers, Debi

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