Becoming intimate with each primary color

By removing a primary from the palette the artist is forced to become more intimate with the two remaining primaries. In (example1) above yellow was left off the palette in a effort to better understand Indian red, another of the iron oxide group and to discover its effect on ultramarine and vise versa. Ultramarine was selected because of its warmer hue in the blue family and would then help to warm up the rich but slightly cool Earth toned Indian red. The panel was first toned with pure Indian red and turpentine. It was surprising that it took on a much warmer tone then expected.  The toned passages of the painting built the illusion of an early morning sun rise which was then supported by painting the effect of mist rising off water. It is important to note that the high light and back lit passages of the painting would not be as strong by mixing and applying paint into these areas and so are supported by just the toning. The sun, water fall and reflection elements were made even stronger by removing a small amount of the toning in those pre planed areas before beginning the brush work.  

The image bellow was taken of the painting that was completed on Friday March 11 2011. It was digitally enhanced by introducing a small amount of  yellow spectrum and dramatically illustrates the powerful effect the missing primary has on the painting.

This painting and others in my Earth Light and Reflection Series are available for sale as well as prints, giclee, and cards at http://www.len-sodenkamp.artistwebsites.com/

For information about STARSCAPES® FX night sky murals go to

http://www.sodenkampart.com/ or call Len at 208-484-0792