Size and Medium: 9” x 12” Gouache Paints on Bristol Paper or Canvas Paper
Objectives: To learn color theory by mixing and applying paints. To create interesting compositions using established color schemes. To understand how color interactions affect spatial depth, composition, mood, and atmosphere.
Instructions: Prepare the paper surface in advance with gesso or acrylic medium. Using your viewfinder to locate an interesting composition, sketch out a still-life arrangement in three different versions. Select the best composition. The image may be realistic or abstract, but it should make good use of all negative and positive spaces. Mix and apply colors according to the various color schemes below. Use the same composition (more or less) for all three studies. The paint should be applied as flat and even shapes without blending. Light and shadow areas should be painted as shapes of different values.
Required: 3 color schemes (1, 2, and 3 or 4)
1. Composition with Compliments of Equal Value
2. Composition with Analogous Colors: Choose 3-5 hues, which are neighbors on the color wheel.
Allow one hue to remain unmodified (high saturation) and add the compliment of the other hues to lower the saturation of each hue to a different intensity.
Choose one of the following for a total of 3 color schemes:
3. Monochromatic Composition: Choose one hue from the color wheel and mix a full range of values (1-10) including tints, tones, and shades, using the compliment of the color plus black and white.
or
4. Composition with Split Compliments: Hue + one neighbor on each side of hue’s compliment. All hues may be modified with white, black, or compliments.
