Smooth and Cool... Color help?

[alangraham]

This is going to be a contemporary/abstract/expressionist piece, haha. I wanted to use some colors I usually avoid, so here it is.

I choose purple and blue because it gives off a cool and serene look which will help with the piece's mood. However, I'm stuck on what to do with the face and hand.

At first, I thought burgundy and pink would work, keeping with the analogous flow. Would this work? The other option would be to use yellow to compliment the purple.

I'm leaning towards pink, but would like some feedback. Thanks all.

Regards,
Cory

[alangraham]

Hmm, just played around with photoshop real quick....

I kinda like yellow....

[talinka]

Hi Cory,
I was thinking maybe do the face in flesh tones with olive tones for the shading?

[alangraham]

Thanks, Tali. I'll play around with some colors today. Maybe some pinks and flesh tones?

Other question for all-- Does it bug you not having eyes and nose?

[Pat Isaac]

I think the pink is a little harsh, maybe tone it sown to some of Tali's suggestions. No facial features doesn't bother me Cory as your paintings always set a mood so you a lot of detail is not needed.
Don't you love photoshop for trying out color?

Pat

[alangraham]

Thanks Pat. And yes, photoshop is awesome! Although, I have Gimp right now. I'm too poor to buy the real thing.

[alangraham]

OK, here it is.

Well, it is more abstract and contemporary than my norm, but that's what I wanted. I think a good black frame, and perhaps an over-sized white mat will produce a cool-looking piece.

As you can see, I did add a face. The man's thumb is resting just above his eye, but from advice received from another person, it looked as if he was jabbing himself.

I went ahead and choose pink with some yellow highlights. I really wanted to stay with an analogous theme, and bright yellow just wouldn't have worked. The green hat also helps. So for colors we have green, blue, purple, and pink.

So, I'd really love to hear some feedback on this one and what you all think about the colors. For me, I get a serene, easy-going feeling with a touch of sexuality due to the man's skin colors.

Regards,
Cory

[alangraham]

Example of it framed....

[talinka]

Nice! I like it. Not so cool now though...

[CandAlArt]

Love the image- and what size? The yellow was a more Andy Warhol look, this look is cool & contemplative. I would prefer a smaller mat, in black, or black with narrow white inner edge. Unless this is a miniature- I couldn't tell size from the pic. I think it looks bolder as it sits on your small easel, implying go for less white around the pic, and a black frame smaller size. And I would try leaving the ragged edge of the pic visable, where the black meets the bare paper. Just my prefs in framing. Very nice piece

[alangraham]

Thanks Tali and Candace.

Yes, it's not as cool, Tali .

Candace, I agree about the yellow being an Andy Warhol look. My decision to avoid that was I figured the viewer would get tired easily as it would be so bright. As for framing, the above is just an example. The size of the piece is 8x10 if I cover the jagged edges. I was thinking a 14x16 mat and metal frame would look cool. A black frame would be cool, too. Sometimes I feel that an 11x14 mat is too narrow for 8x10 works.

Thanks again, ladies.

regards,
Cory

[Frostie]

Cory, the pink works really well. Pink was a good choice. It looks fab. Well done.

I'd find photoshop really useful if I could even manage to work out what to do - it's got so many menus, and bits to it - it just completely boggles my mind.
Helen

[Pat Isaac]

I like it, Cory. It all works well.

Pat

[alangraham]

Thanks, Helen and Pat. Happy to know the pink works. I was unsure (probably since I'm unfamiliar with the color), but knew it'd work once I started laying it down.

Helen, yes I like photoshop, but only use about 5% or so of its features, haha. I truly have no idea what I'm doing. It does help to combine colors to find an idea, and especially colors you are unsure about.

regards,
Cory