Let’s focus on the importance of color repetition in your paintings, or simply bouncing the colors around. When certain shapes, lines or colors are repeated throughout the art piece, it can give it a sense of movement, rhythm and unity. One of the simplest things you can do to keep your viewer interested in your work, is by repeating certain colors. It’s natural for us to find similarities and make connections when looking at art. Using color expressively can be fun and create strong compositions.
For example, in this Garden Gate painting, the gate is painted a teal color. The gate is the focal point but to connect it to the background and create unity, I’ve scattered the teal color into the leaves. Unconsciously, our eyes are lead around through the connection of the teal color. The painting becomes more active for the viewer and also, creates some movement to the piece.
Another example of this process is in the Blue Bicycle painting. It’s obvious about the pink flowers repeated from the basket into the vines but there is a subtle connection with the bike and gate, too. The blue of the bike is reflected onto the gate to show reflected light but to also to lead the eye towards the background. You might notice also, the shadow on the ground. It has a purple value and that is also repeated in some of the roses. There is also a golden yellow color repeated throughout because the underpainting is peeking through where I have not painted.
So when I start adding color, I’ll take a look around the reference image and think of places where I can have a little fun and bounce some color around. Try not to be so realistic with color but be playful and dot it here and there. Have fun and be expressive!!
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