Lemons Lesson Number 6

I want to begin to develop some of the shadow values in the lemons.

Using French Ultramarine Blue with a lot of water, I lay in some of the shadow shapes in the lemons. As this is drying I use a touch of Burnt Sienna here and there to warm up the shadows and deepen the values.

Blue and red-brown (Burnt Sienna) are relative opposites on the color wheel. Using them mixed together or glazed wet-on-dry, will create warm, dark values of neutral color.

Mixing French Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna in a stronger mixture is one of my favorite blacks or dark browns. If you keep it transparent, the color just glows!

Arches Study Workshop 3

Now I am using two blue paints to develop the initial values: French Ultramarine Blue and Prussian Blue. Using my value chart (see the entry two days ago for more on Value Charts), I try to locate the dark values from number 4 through number 6. I use these blue pigments to begin to build the values. I work very wet, use simple, light brushwork, and I try to avoid brushing in the same area with more than one stroke. If I need to add more color I allow it to dry first.