The first image here is a photo of a portion of my pallet. This small area where I mixed my paints stopped my mind with its subtle variations of neutral color and its pearlescent quality. I was inspired to explore these colors further and started three new painting with a more neutral color scheme than usual.
Here is the monochromatic version again with a few changes, and below is the watercolor. I now have enough information to go back to the 3 X 4 ft. oil painting. I have tried the more traditional technique of painting over a monochromatic under painting, but it just didn’t work well for me. Instead, I use the monochrome to deepen my feeling and understanding of the picture’s values. Watercolor works well to inform me of its colors.
