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| Rembrandt, Self-portrait, 1657 |
These are good questions. I answered the email, and then talked about it later with Todd Bonita, my friend and my workshop monitor. He suggested I publish the question, and my answer. So here they are.
Prussian Green
Dear _____________,
Glad you've been to see the blog. I'm very excited to be going back to Scotland to paint. Grab a pal and come along! I'm told there's still enough shortbread for everyone.
And, now, on the subject of color: Life is short. The time spent in front of the motif en plein air is even shorter. And, shortest of all, is the time in front of the motif with the same light effect.
Over many years, I've modified my practice to acknowledge that I don't make better paintings as a consequence of making my own easel, grinding my own colors, or making mediums from scratch.
I should rather Rembrandt painted me a panel using a toothbrush and some black Kiwi polish, than to have a painting by many a peer whose claim to fame is that he laboriously makes his own materials. I guess, for me, it come's down to "Where's the beef?"
Thus, I'm one who wants to save time, and effort (and especially space on my wee palette), when painting out of doors.
I don't want to have to mix from scratch----when time is short
and effects are fleeting----those few "go to" colors I love. It's a
pointless, purist, time-waster. I'm ready to cast my lot with the belief that
talent, and Kiwi, will surely win.
Prussian green: I occasionally use viridian, but my virtually-transparent Prussian green is something I use all the time, both in under-paintings, and in glazing. Try it!
We learned (at least I did) that Prussian blue is fugitive, in that its bronzey top tone will ultimately prevail over its blueness. This seemed to set up the idea that anything with Prussian in its name is suspect. In any event, only the names remain from the olden days. They are reliable colors now, with quite different formulations.
BTW, we used to make a stable cousin of Prussian blue using phthalo blue and burnt siena.
The "all you need is red, yellow, and blue, plus white" dictum is reasonably close to being right. But here's an assignment: take those four colors and make me a clear viridian.
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| Viridian |
What? You're not done yet?! It's starting to rain! Time to pack up!
Hope some of this helps.
Donald
Great post! I am one of those who tend to buy and try new colors, and maybe collect a few too many. I do find that if I can buy the ones I use a lot, then yes, it does cut down on time. The Tuscan Earth colors and your mid toned greens are so much fun and I can get my idea down before it flies out of my head while trying to mix what I need.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Donald. Viridian has been in my tool box for a hundred years...it's my go-to for knocking down warms and glazing. It's transparent and tends towards a bluer green. I'm in love. I notice that the Prussian Green is on your workshop supply list and is one of three colors that you consider mandatory. I (with my right hand in the air) vow to give a tube an honest try. I love the variety you get in your greens. Perhaps a post sometime on the other two colors you consider mandatory; Brownish Madder and Naples Yellow deep.
ReplyDeleteThis morning, hands shaking with the cold I was pondering this same question. In the studio I can blend the greens I need but out in the open, with the sun moving at supersonic speed, I found myself just approximating to "get the damn canvas covered" and the result was not good. I have always been pressured to mix on the spot but your advice is winning me over. We discussed this issue (as well as the cad yellow question) but I find my plein air painting partner/instructor could not see the logic. I think minimal pallette is a mantra which doesn't hold water.. or should I say oil.
ReplyDeleteBruce...Re your friend not being able to see the logic of a few more colors, I'm scratching my head. To not avail yourself of the available tools is just folly. I, personally, am not a good enough painter to dispense with a little help from Old Holland when working at speed. Nonetheless, of course, I HATE not being cool.
DeleteTodd, I would also love to see some thoughts from Donald on the Brownish-Madder and Naples Yellow Deep. I am completely unfamiliar with the Brownish-Madder and have put it on my shopping list (along with some greens!). Naples Yellow I use but am wary of what it does in mixes. (Doesn't seem to behave like a Yellow).
ReplyDeleteBrownish-madder...transparent when thinned, rather maroon, a warm version of alizarin. Reflected lights out-of-doors, warmth within shadows,,taming some greens....seems I use it all the time.
DeleteAs for the Naples yellows, they no longer contain lead so they no longer chemically react in mixtures. Combined with the yellow ochre light, I can make most of the yellows I need, though you may be after a higher color key for your paintings than I use. My absolute favorite yellow is the Naples Yellow deep (Neapelgult Morkt, #605) made in Sweden by Beckers. I can no longer get it in the US, but a friend brought me a few tubes back from Sweden. It's a clearer, more vibrant color than many Naples yellows. Somebody please find me a source! Any blog readers from Sweden??
Thanks, Donald. I'll certainly give it a try. By the way you can purchase Beckers 'A' paints through I-B Wahlstrom via their website:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ibwahlstrom.se/epages/IBWAHLSTROM.sf/sv_SE/?ObjectID=4883&LastViewObjectID=9137&ViewAction=View&Page=2&PageSize=30
I spoke to a gentleman there who said that as long as it is purchased on their website they will ship it but cannot give you the shipping costs in advance. They are very helpfull and of course speak English perfectly (tel: 01 46 8151910).
A bargain at only 72 krona a tube. For you $10.56 US
Just a further note for those who are linguistically challenged: On the ibwahlstrom website: click katagorier, then Farg, then Oljefarg, and Beckers is at the top of the list.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Bruce, for your investigations on my behalf. You are a Prince! I have now attempted to place an online order for ten 40ml tubes, and we shall see what transpires. There were several points in the ordering where I was confounded, but I took educated guesses. One such is that there is no choice for USA in the mandatory destination list. But I think it will be clear to them, nonetheless. I eagerly await my packet containing 2 turnips,1 ploughshare, 3 mice, and a bottle of acquavit. Many, many thanks to you.
DeleteFor others: Be cautioned! Be aware of what you are about to do before you pass down the path of Beckers dependence!
And many thanks to you for pointing the way to wonderful colours. If only I could somehow skip the mandatory miles of canvas experience requirement and apply them as you do.
ReplyDeleteI've been having fun with the three essential paints and especially like the Naples yellow deep and the Prussian Green. The brownish madder has not been played with enough. I guess my instinct is to grab the alizarin red, so I'll have to try a little harder. By ther way, did your order from Ikea arrive?
ReplyDeleteIt's warmer than Alizarin, and behaves quite differently. I particularly like it when I need a transparent red to bouce up into shadows. The Becker's yellow came...thank you. Then a student ordered some for herself and others. Ultimately I sold about two and a half dozen to workshop participants. Now they'll all have future withdrawal issues. Great time on the Vermont workshop: sun, hail---really challenging. You shoulda been there.
DeleteWe have been having wild and windy weather here as well. We have managed to paint on Wednesdays though when there is always scheduled break in the inclement weather.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that your Swedish worked.
BT
DeleteHave a look at my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/donaldjurneystudio to see what's currently up. I've gotten a bit behind with my regular blogging as I've been so busy with the two workshops and the Dead Paintings Society.BTW, the Scottish workshop has reached its quorum and we're much-excited. Good luck on Wednesday...rain forecast here.
I should have read this too, before I made the last (other) comment. I will get out some of those old tubes of colors I didn't know what to do with and force them onto my pallet and see what happens, Thanks!
ReplyDelete