Colour theory

is hard to explain – which is why I’m leaving it to someone else.

Every artist must learn through trial and error, gradually inching their way towards a system that works for them.  Pigments are more than their chromatic value and  you will find that each takes on a personality.  Here, then, is another way of looking at it:-

Imagine you’re having a party

• Cadmium yellow -The first to arrive, always in an unsustainable outfit.  Catch her early because she’s probably ordered an early cab. (She  wants to avoid crushing her frock).
  
  
• Yellow ochre – Quite dowdy and earnest, wears cornish pasty shoes.  Gets on with everyone and a really good listener. Yellow Ochre enjoys camping and communing with nature.
  
  
• Raw Umber – No personality of his own but is surprisingly well read, his input really enriches every conversation but can be a bit of a bore
  
  
  
• Sap Green – Jolly fella, can always be relied on to perk up the party.  Indispensable on picnics.
  
  
  
• Alizarin crimson – Tall, elegant, your most sophisticated friend.  She would like to chat  but people don’t approach her ‘cos she’s just too impressive.
  
  
  
  
  
• Prussian blue – Alizarin Crimson’s less handsome sidekick.  She’s interesting but she’s bitter, careful or she’ll spread her greenish hue.  Gets on surprisingly well with Burnt Sienna.
  
  
• Viridian – The tall mysterious stranger, tends to hang out in the shade, looking cool.
  
  
  
  
• Vermillion – The party joker, with a tendancy to laugh at his own jokes.  Loud but useful, has a secret thing for Cadmium yellow.
  
  
  
• Mars Black – The goth in the corner –  best left there.
  
  
  
  
• Ultramarine – A favourite friend (it’s different for everyone) although I don’t see her often I always find her profound, clever and surpisingly warm.
  
  
  
• Burnt Sienna –   She offers to solve all your problems but lands up making them ten times worse.  An inveterate and domineering meddler. What’s more she has a weak head and will soon be singing cheesy songs. You’ll have to ask her nicely to leave.  Annoyingly everyone else quite likes her.
• Titanium white – A  great organiser, someone who remembers to buy nibbles.  But beware, if you don’t keep an eye on her  she’ll turn down the music and have everyone playing demure parlour games.
  
  
• Paynes Grey – Gentle and reliable.  She quietly tidies up when everyone has gone home and you are weeping about the ruined carpet.

These are just a few of my favourites/enemies (yes, I’m thinking of you, Burnt Sienna) – everyone has their own ideas on pigment personalities.  I’d love to hear yours. 

Credits – Burnt Sienna figure:  Tracey Costescu Paynes Gray girl : Alma Stoller Sap green teapot:  Tahnee Gehm Raw umber man: Brian McNeil Viridian: Viridian two