Playback speed
×
Share post
Share post at current time
0:00
/
0:00
Preview
13
1

Ode to Yellow Ochre

The hardest working color in my palette
13
1

Yellow ochre isn’t a Lamborghini. It’s the Honda Accord that you can always count on to get you where you need to go.

During her renowned Colour Tutor Workshop in Cambridge, Juliet Docherty asked us to pair colors to create sophisticated palettes. I chose yellow ochre because it “looks great with everything.” She paused, looked me in the eye and said “I totally agree.”

Colors to try with yellow ochre

EVERYTHING. But if you want to get technical and involve the color wheel, yellow is across from violet, making them complementary colors. Try them together!

gorillas illustration by beth spencer
Penny & Kebara’s purple-y colors shine beautifully thanks to the yellow ochre surrounding them.

PROMPT: Add yellow ochre to your practice!

  • Use an ochre Neocolor or pencil to sketch, then draw or paint over them.

  • Replace your usual yellow with ochre and prepare to fall in love!

  • Practice mixing it yourself with warm yellow paint and a tiny bit of brown or raw sienna (or use the primaries: the tiniest bit of red and blue).

    still life painting in progress by Beth Spencer
    Yellow Ochre even makes the in-progress look pretty dreamy.

Whatever sits next to yellow ochre looks better than without it. It’s not as loud and energetic as a traditional yellow, so it lets the other colors shine.

I had the most fun comparing it to cadmium and lemon yellow, then mixing them. Making this sheet was what inspired me the painting at the top of this post!

If you use ochre in an interesting way this month, tag me! I’d love to share and we can all learn and appreciate this lovely color together!

sketchbook with yellow ochre swatches

Upcoming Sessions

🐾 Draw Dogs Your Way Online Workshop - Tomorrow at 4 pm CST

We’ll focus on canine color theory, shape studies, and a few classic drawing techniques to give you insights to how YOU like drawing dogs. Sign up is below!

😻 Drawing Cats with Samantha Dion Baker - October 8 at 2:30 pm CST

Sam and I are switching techniques for this session! We’re drawing from photos I shot worked as a photographer. You can register at the link below or in Sam’s chat!

Drawn in BlueShineArt’s Apple Picking Session

Video highlights:

  • Comparing yellow ochre with warm & cool yellows.

  • I get so inspired, I make a whole illustration.

  • Swatch a bunch of ochre materials.

  • Share a lot of colors next to ochre for inspiration.

This post is for paid subscribers

Introvert Drawing Club
Color
Learning how colors play and mix together through practice.
Authors
Beth Spencer