Starting Simple... A Live Color Study

Summary

In this tutorial, the artist demonstrates how to perform a quick color study using Photoshop by observing the color and light on an egg. The process begins with a broad approach—starting with basic color blocking and blending—before moving to finer details. The artist emphasizes the importance of studying light, shadows, and the subtle shifts in color, avoiding perfectionism and focusing on the learning process. Using simple tools like the mixer brush, the goal is to replicate the image's color and form, with a focus on observation and efficient workflow to enhance one's artistic skills through repetition and intuitive understanding.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start by observing the overall color and light in the reference image, avoiding detailed color picking initially.
• 🎨 Use Photoshop to replicate the colors, focusing on large shapes and basic color transitions before refining the details.
• 🖌️ Begin with blocking in large areas of color and work your way to smaller, more detailed sections.
• 🔍 Study how colors interact with one another, especially in the shadows and highlights, to understand relative color.
• 💡 Use a mixer brush for blending and smoothing transitions between colors, mimicking traditional painting techniques.
• 🌈 Focus on the main light sources and their effects on the object. Observe the warm and cool color shifts caused by light.
• 👀 Practice 'blurring your eyes' to assess the overall color of an image before diving into the finer details.
• 🕹️ Keep the process simple by using only one layer and two main brushes: a soft textured brush and a mixer brush.
• ⏰ Set a timer for your color study to avoid overworking the piece, allowing you to finish quickly and efficiently.
• 🔄 Repetition of color studies is key to building a strong intuitive understanding of color relationships and light effects.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of this color study process?

The primary goal is to observe and understand how color and light interact with each other by painting an egg in Photoshop. It is less about precise replication and more about quickly grasping the effects of light on color.

Why does the artist blur their eyes when choosing the base color?

The artist blurs their eyes to simplify the visual information and focus on the general color tone rather than getting caught up in fine details. This helps identify the dominant color without overthinking small variations.

How does the artist use relative color in this study?

Relative color is used by observing how different colors behave next to one another. For example, shadows may appear warmer on one side of the egg and cooler on the other, depending on the surrounding light sources.

What role does the 'mixer brush' play in the painting process?

The mixer brush is used to blend colors together smoothly, mimicking the effect of traditional painting tools. It helps create soft transitions between light and dark areas, making the painting look more natural.

Why does the artist focus on working with one layer instead of multiple layers?

The artist works on one layer to keep the process simple and fast, focusing on capturing the color and light relationships rather than getting bogged down by technical aspects. This method encourages quick observation and painting.

What is the significance of the ‘contact shadow’ in this painting?

The contact shadow is the dark area where the egg touches the surface, creating a realistic contrast. It helps define the egg's relationship with its environment and contributes to the overall realism of the study.

How does the artist use saturation to achieve realistic lighting?

The artist adjusts the saturation of colors to reflect how light affects the scene. For example, areas in shadow may appear more saturated or darker, while light areas are desaturated or lighter in tone, which mimics real-world lighting.

Why does the artist avoid focusing on exact details during the initial stages?

At the beginning, the artist prioritizes color observation over details to understand the broader relationship between light and color. Focusing on the big shapes and color tones helps create a strong foundation for more detailed work later.

What did the artist learn from this color study process?

The artist learned about the importance of observing relative color, how different lighting conditions affect color perception, and the need for continual adjustment to achieve the correct balance of light, shadow, and color saturation.

How does the artist determine when the color study is 'finished'?

The artist determines the study is finished when they feel that they’ve observed enough and achieved a satisfactory balance of light and color. They emphasize that the process should be time-limited to avoid overthinking and to foster learning through repetition.