Fifty Shades of Grey-Using Neutrals to Enhance Beautiful
COLOR WORKSHOP
SUPPLY LIST
items marked with***are a must!
Get ready to be challenged!
We will be pushing the boundaries of color in this class using every neutral (never say, dull, boring or ugly) color we can mix. We will start with a number of quick studies, some of which may stand alone as small paintings or be kept to review in the future. It is most important that you not be concerned about the expense of the materials so please bring inexpensive panels for the preliminary sketches. I often keep larger panels (11 x 14, 12 x 16) to refer to when puzzling out a new painting. If things go well, there will be time to work on 1 or 2 larger pieces depending on how quickly you mix paint.
Panel sizes:
Four to Six: 5 x 7, or 6 x 6 canvases or boards or:
One to Two: 12 x 16, 11 x 14 (you will divide into quadrants for studies)
We will be working from life. There will be beautiful florals and other luscious colored objects to choose from to paint. If you have a particular color or object you would like help mixing color around, please bring it with you. I will have some wonderful pigments for you to sample as well. Generally I use a limited palette, so these are “special” pigment colors that are expensive and potent and should be splurged on only when needed.
Other Supplies:
Paint: Oils, (either traditional or water soluble) will be covered in this class. If you have not tried oils and are hesitant to work with toxic solvents, water-soluble oils are a wonderful alternative. They mix and clean up with water. DO NOT PURCHASE STUDENT GRADE PAINTS. You get what you pay for in pigments.
Basic Palette:
Cadmium Yellow Light ( or Lemon Yellow)
Cadmium Red Light
Alizarin Crimson
Ultramarine Blue (Deep best)
Prussian Green (or Viridian)
Thalo Yellow Green (or Sap)
Burnt Sienna
Raw Umber
Titanium White
Solvents: ONLY GAMSOL. No regular solvents. If you chose to use traditional oils, I recommend that you wear groves (never latex), and you must carry a leak proof container. Do not skimp on this item, as leaks are toxic both to humans and the environment.
Brushes: While you may be tempted to purchase less expensive brushes, this is not an area to be frugal. You get what you pay for in a brush; therefore it is better to buy 2 good brushes rather than 6 lesser quality brushes. I prefer flats and filberts. Find a few brushes you really like and learn to use them well. You can expand your brush handling over time (sign up for my next class to learn more). You may want one small brush (size 2) filbert for drawing and details and several others medium to large #4-#10. With water-soluable oils you will need to use synthetic brushes. Natural bristle brushes will dry out and expand in the water used to thin the oils. I use Princeton series 6300 and Rosemary synthetic which are most like boar bristles. I also use Monarch brushes which are similar to sable brushes.
Easel: There are easels in the studio for you to use or you may bring a pochade or light easel for the workshop. You will be able to leave all your equipment in the studio for the entire workshop. We will be moving around several still life set-ups, so lighter is better.
Palette: You can store your paints in a Masterson's box with the air tight lid if you are in the studio or class. Putting a neutral foam lining under glass on the bottom allows for quick cleanup, and storage. Use a dab of petroleum jelly on the seal and store unused paint inside the box, then stored in the refrigerator (not the freezer which will cause the box to crack). You can also cover unused paints with plastic (I reuse the plastic torn off my panels).
Additional supplies:
Color Wheel***(any size to attach to or place near your easel) If you are new to intentionally mixing neutrals (not accidentally making mud) purchase a large color wheel. This makes mixing more accurate and quick.
small sketch book and/or pencil or value pens
Paper Towels or box of Kleenex (Pick-a-size towels are great)
Plastic grocery bags (for soiled towels) to hang on setup
Small cup (w or w/o clip) to put solvent or water and attach to setup
Palette knife and/or single edge razor for cleaning palette
Airtight solvent holder or plastic cup with handle (for water) to Rinse brushes. NO SOLVENTS DOWN SINKS OR POURED ON GROUND
view finder w/ tinted film. www.pictureperfectviewfiner.com is excellent.