Two colors you couldn’t live without

[Trissa Nova]

I noted on my intro that I’m trying to get a better handle on crafting a limited palette.  So I’m curious if you had to pick just two colors…perhaps if you could only use those two colors for a few weeks, what would they be?

For me I think maybe Daniel Smith Transparent Red Oxide and Ultramarine Blue. If this image comes through, it was a few casual/simple practice studies I did from a vacation photo my sister sent me. I used Neutral Tint also, but just the two seemed like they would have a huge range.

[Sandra Strait]

I’d probably go with something like Daniel Smith Aussie Red Gold and Phthalo Blue. Or if I was going for lower key paintings, Paul Rubens Shaded Yellow and Chinese Ink Blue.

Over the years, I’ve tried to develop the palette that works best for me, and I kind of have one that is my go to.  But I get bored so easily if I try to stay with just one. It’s like potato chips – I have about a bazillion different palettes now and keep adding new ones.

[Elena C Serrano]

Lovely studies, Trissa!

I normally work on full illustrations, so they tend to have a variety of colors (though I try to keep the palettes limited). If I had to choose two colors to work with (sketching and painting studies) I’d go for W&N Cerulean blue (student half-pan) and Schmincke’s Payne’s Grey (blue shade).

[Trissa Nova]

Thanks Elena.  Interesting you’d select to cool colors.  I’ll have to try them together & see how they do for me.

[Elena C Serrano]

I always liked to sketch with graphite and blue markers, I guess that’s why? I’d keep light as the white of the paper.
There’s also a lot of blue where I live. When I do landscape studies of the city, I’ll tend to use graphite and Payne’s gray for the buildings and washes for the sky. I like the negative space effect that it generates.

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