Color is a Lure

Posted bydebirileyPosted inart, color, Impressionist, nature, painting, watercolorsTags:, , , ,
bright colorful impressionist landscapes, color as a lure, watercolor clouds, painting what you love, debiriley.com

A week of Love. Its nearly over. But Perhaps I may continue with a few more with this “Love theme.”  I certainly haven’t exhausted the possibilities that reside within my mind’s eye.

Love can be wrapped in so many different, creative beautiful ways.

I’m finding this week a joyful challenge.

 

bright colorful impressionist landscapes, color as a lure, watercolor clouds, painting what you love, debiriley.com
The Lovely Lure of Color

 

 

Color is a Lovely Lure

The lure of color for me is always present.  Shamelessly, my eyes always scan…. for color. You know and I know,  I’m in love with color.

My love should be, of course Tonal Values.

 

 

In the early days of my painting journey, my worst downfall was color.

Every time, color was ‘caked on’ to the watercolor paper.

 

Why?

“Because the colors were Pretty.

Because the colors Really were there.”

Because I had no idea that I was mucking the painting up by going in willy nilly with my circus of colors.

 

 

Colors lured me in.  My love of color, unrestrained and uncontrolled, set me up for non successful paintings.

 

 

I had a high percentage of paintings that were merely “mid tone, mid tone, mid tone…. throw in a dark tone.”

Sad as this makes a ‘colorist’ ……this does not work out well.

 

 

Tonal Values  ie ‘shading’

Paintings and drawings need an adequate range of tones, ie shading, in order for the image to come to life.  Without tonal values it will look flat. Shapes will look like they’re ‘floating.’  There will be no depth or perspective, unless I ensure plenty of tonal values.

 

I’m still learning.

Over time, it gets easier.

But, I still struggle to make certain that “Tone” gets it fair share too.  It is still, a challenge for those drawn in to the lure of color.

 

 

 

 

 

Watercolor Love …..

This little beauty simply fell into my lap. I was  ‘in the zone.’  Lucky me, that day!

The paints were out.

My 5 small sheets of paper were laid out as well. Waiting.

 

Why 5, you may inquire.

I’ve always worked on the premise that if I do several, then surely at least ONE of those will be OK, will be alright.

As well as:   The More I paint and practice – the better I will get.

Both ideas resonate quite strongly within me.

 

 

Watercolor Paints Used

My watercolor paints consisted of my 3 Basic colors:

pb28 cobalt blue, py175 winsor lemon, pv19 permanent rose.

And for a unique,  special twist……  pg18  viridian green.

 

Viridian?

Yes.  Just Because. I felt like it that day.

 

 

 

My watercolor painting is nearly semi abstract.

Loose. Joyful. Full of freedom.

 

Undeniably, the color lures you in.

 

 

 

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

14 thoughts on “Color is a Lure”

  1. Gorgeous! I don’t know what it is about pure simplicity like your painting that intrigues me. Such a wonderful post Debi! I am a lover of color and I often fall into that trap of chasing color. 😉

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    1. color a holic, is me! I know it! and thank you Margaret for such a wonderful comment too! very nice 🙂 I’m sure you know, when,…. we hit the zone… we get things right. and the work sings. maybe not everyone likes it, but thats certainly ok too. but, the work sings for us… and that right there, is the most important part of art. what it does and says to the artist. imo yes, I do enjoy that some others ‘like’ it. but this one is so joyful to me, I would love it Regardless. now, that last post about the YUK painting. LOL well, win some, lose some! once again, a big thank you Miss M! YRF have a lovely weekend !

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    1. hi Nico, thank you very much! glad that it ‘spoke’ to you 🙂 Its a happy little piece and seems to make me smile, as the grandchildren say “sharing is caring” 🙂 peace and good tidings!!

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  3. Debi, oh Debi, May i borrow your approach to practice? I think it just might work for me. I shall set it up tonight ready for the morning: and I shall slice up good arches paper too. I too am a colorist who knows that good composition usually depends on use of full value-scale. Consider Millet’s paintings, Corot’s, Vermeer’s… they all work because the values are there- yet i still slather on the color and without Mondrian’s finesse. Every time i visit an exhibit of masterpieces I am struck by the importance of value in so many of the paintings. If we’re going to just use color we have to make it ‘jump’ like you have in your little gem of a landscape. Lots of little studies should help one find answers on how to do this. You certainly have!

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    1. dear Holly, of course you can borrow my philosophy and way of thinking about art and painting! I always, advocate and encourage my students in these ways
      1. be bold and utterly FREE 2. be SELF expressive, let it out! 3. let YOU, come out 4. allow your own inner artist the grace, the permission, the TRUST to come out and do her own thing, her way –
      Dear Holly, These things are from my heart, to all students. That which is within you, is of beauty…. and the world, we… need to see YOUR, colors!!!
      This, is what I teach. I want people to know what they have to say, IS beautiful. Holly – what are your colors?!!! I hope to see them! thanks, hugs and cheers, Debi 🙂

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  4. more questions- What do you find works? do you use individual pieces or do you tape out squares on a larger sheet????? I am assuming that you limit your practice to one chosen palette per session. I’ve been working in a variety of sketch books which gets awkward as you can’t turn pages until they are dry. And bound pads are even worse.

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  5. Just stumbled into your blog, this morning! This one resonates with me…I have spent a fair amount of time educating myself about color theory and really putting some thought into my palette, this last year, before a drop of paint touches the canvas….It has made a HUGE difference. Thanks, I really enjoyed this 🙂

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    1. Laura, thank you! I’m really pleased and very glad you’ve liked the week’s theme and posts!! I think I may go just a bit longer with it. Perhaps for me, …. and perhaps it could be maybe the world in general could use more love, less anger about now. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your thoughts and letting me know that you’ve enjoyed this. Cheers, Debi

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  7. What a great week you have had that you have shared with us Debi. Such a great idea to have a theme and follow through each day. Today’s piece is a little jewel that I’m sure will be framed and rejuvenate you each day you look at it. Bravo 🙂

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