Colors have voices. We speak softly when sharing secrets. We yell to prevent someone from walking into traffic. Colors have similar rules.
They can whisper when communicating a delicate subject. Or scream when making a dramatic statement.
Loud colors are fun, but lately I’ve been drawn to explore quieter, more muted colors. They feel more considerate and experimental.
Instagram and social media can lead us to rely on louder, more saturated colors for their attention-grabbing effect. But not everything in your practice demands attention.
“When you emphasize everything, you emphasize nothing.” - Herschell Gordon Lewis
In
’s wonderful Co-Swatch sesh, she encouraged me to embrace this challenge by taking only softer colors on location to draw.The more art I make with quieter colors, the more I love them, but old habits die hard. I still find myself grabbing greens and and adding gobs of yellow to brighten everything.
I’m devoting more time to this practice and sharing a monthly color activity with members as part of our learning journey together. We’ll explore mixing and discover pathways to creating expressive palettes.
We can make deep connections when we use our voices effectively. When colors speak together harmoniously in a drawing, design, or painting, they sing.
In the video
I share an exercise where we’ll use a color we don’t typically use, then find some “friends” for it. It’s a perfect way to spend time with those art supplies you don’t usually reach for.
Have you signed up for our upcoming sessions?
We’re coworking with the Sarah Dyer on Monday and making sketchbooks with
on Thursday. Can’t wait!
