COLOR INVENTORY
Problem:
1. Using the template provided, complete four hard-edged, color studies exploring
variations in hue, value, intensity, and temperature. If gouache is used, it should
be applied as evenly as possible, and the edges should be clean and crisp.
2. Parallel this assignment using Photoshop digitally.
Objective: Color mixing and technical skills are emphasized in this assignment.
Design Course Materials:
Print the template on Bristol paper, use the template provided
Designer Gouache by W&N
The following palette will be used; Magenta, Spectrum Yellow, Peacock Blue,
Orange Lake Light, Brilliant Green, Spectrum Violet
Painting Course Materials:
Use the template provided, print the template on Bristol paper
Acrylic paints
The following palette will result in the widest range of colors from the least
amount of paint: hansa yellow, napthol red, quindacradone red, thalo blue, thalo
green, titanium white, mars black. Golden Acrylics or the Winsor Newton Finity
Series offer especially rich colors.
Strategy:
The first study, simply experiment with the seven colors in your kit. Mix a wide
variety of colors, and then paint them into the 20 boxes in the grid, using drafting
tape to ensure crisp edges. The Acrylic paint is already the right consistency–
avoid adding much water. A smooth, even surface will help viewers focus on the
image rather than on your technique.
In each of the remaining blocks, combine adjoining blocks in the grid to create at
least three larger areas of color.
The second study, use flat blocks of color to create a design in which some shapes
advance while others recede. Generally warm and light colors seem to come
forward, cool and dark color tend to recede.
Reading: Pages 2-1 to 2-9
Timetable: 4 to 6 hours if done manually, 2 to 3 hours if done digitally
COLOR INVENTORY
Instructor’s Notes:
The four basic qualities of color are hue, value, intensity (or saturation), and temperature.
Variations in any of these aspects of color substantially affect design impact.
I will give an explicit demonstration of paint mixing, drafting tape technique, and
cleanup.
W&N Designer's Gouache.
Gouache is water soluble, yet may be difficult to reconstitute from dry. To avoid having
paint dry on the palette, we will use a palette with small air-tight containers, called "Seala-palette" available at Daniel Smith art supply
Acrylic Paints
When using acrylic paints, place a damp paper towel under the blobs of pure color. A
glass palette is useful because students can usually scrape off most of the paint with a
palette knife, then complete their cleanup using a damp paper towel. Cleaning this way
avoids a traffic jam at the sink and reduces the chances of clogging the drain.
.
Conversation is the laboratory and workshop of the
student.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson