Home Forums The Learning Center Color Theory and Mixing mixingcolor for old cedar log cabin

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 19 total)
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  • #995271
    PrairieDuffer
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        How can I mix the color of old cedar planks? I’ve tried several browns (my own mixes and the various siennas and umbers), reds (Cad light, red oxide, and Cad red deep hue), and yellows (Cad light and yellow ochre.) As soon as I lighten with white, I get a creamy-looking paste instead of that off-yellow, red and brown tinged color that I want. Unbleached titantium white doesn’t get it either. Note that a similar red-brown-yellow should show up in my path with leafy debris. Am I just mixing too much of each addition and missing the boat? Any other suggestions?

        #1272131

        Do you have an example of what you’re looking for? That would make it a lot easier to give advice. If I google “old cedar planks” I get all kinds of colors.

        #1272139
        PrairieDuffer
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            Here is my reference photo. Particularly note the facia boards on the right side under the roof and the window trim on the right side.

            #1272133
            opainter
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                Have you tried toning your color down with a little black? Or gray? (But not with Payne’s Gray, which includes blue.)

                AJ (opainter), C&C always welcome
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                #1272136
                newbie333
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                    Try lightening it with a light value yellow rather than white???

                    #1272137
                    newbie333
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                        Also, especially with trees, wood, I prefer to layer in the various colors on canvas rather than mix them on palette (I work mainly in acrylics)

                        #1272129
                        ~JMW~
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                            Have you tired the Virtual Palette tool here-
                            https://www.wetcanvas.com/colormixer/colormixer.php
                            I tried a crimson -1, sienna – 2 & a deep yellow -1 then a bit of white to lighten.. looked like a close match..
                            Or go darker with an under paint color then dry brush or lightly scumble the lighter color on top. *how Jerry Yarnell usually does it with acrylics..*

                            ~Joy~

                            #1272138
                            Violet Roses
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                                Try lightening it with a light value yellow rather than white???

                                That’s what I’d suggest too.

                                I love mixed media!

                                #1272132

                                You’ve chosen a nice but quite difficult image for a beginning painter. So lots to learn there! ;)

                                I agree with not using (too much) white to lighten the color. The facia boards are basically a dull yellow/orange. I’d say yellow ochre, burnt sienna and black will get you pretty much there. Maybe you need a little burnt umber and alizarin crimson (or something like it) for the darker parts.

                                The shadowed wall (with the ladder) is much more a blueish/purpleish grey. Getting this correct is important, too. The leafy debris in the path are a litte more towards orange than the facia boards. And don’t forget to check your values (light/dark). They play a big role in the perception of color as well.

                                Good luck!

                                #1272140
                                PrairieDuffer
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                                    Also, especially with trees, wood, I prefer to layer in the various colors on canvas rather than mix them on palette (I work mainly in acrylics)

                                    Don’t acrylics generally cover up previous layers – at least opaque top layers? Or do you mean mix wet paint on the canvas?

                                    #1272141
                                    PrairieDuffer
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                                        You’ve chosen a nice but quite difficult image for a beginning painter. So lots to learn there! ;)

                                        Good luck!

                                        There must be a Murphy’s Law that says something like: “The interest in a subject is inversely proportional to the skill of the artist.” At least I’m finding it that way. What a fun hobby!

                                        #1272142
                                        PrairieDuffer
                                        Default

                                            You’ve chosen a nice but quite difficult image for a beginning painter. So lots to learn there! ;)

                                            Good luck!

                                            For what it’s worth, here is my attempt thus far. (Apologies for poor photography. I’m also a novice at that.) The foreground is definitely a work in progress and, with all this good advise, I’m ready to paint over the cabin. Any further advise will be greatly appreciated.

                                            #1272143
                                            PrairieDuffer
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                                                The Virtual Palette tool looks like a god-send for a novice like me! I can see it saving many hours and $ in getting an initial color mix. I’ll use it this afternoon.

                                                #1272130

                                                There must be a Murphy’s Law that says something like: “The interest in a subject is inversely proportional to the skill of the artist.” At least I’m finding it that way. What a fun hobby!

                                                :lol: Very true!

                                                Your attempt is quite good. Your drawing and perspective aren’t too far off, and your colors are pretty accurate (a little too saturated, but most beginners do that). To improve your painting I’d focus on values mostly now. Some tips:

                                                  [*]The wall with the ladder (in the reference picture) is a bit darker and a lot cooler in color than the other wall. In your painting the are more or less the same color and value
                                                  [*]The trees on both sides are a lot denser and darker than you have painted them
                                                  [*]The foreground is quite a bit lighter than you’ve painted it

                                                I think these points are relatively easy to fix, but will result in a big improvement. I’ve turned the reference and your painting into greyscale images to see the differences in value more easily:

                                                #1272134
                                                ntl
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                                                    the virtual palette tools, including https://www.wetcanvas.com/colormixer/colormixer.php

                                                    Can be very helpful, but learning how colors go together on your own might be remembered more easily. Yes, it takes time, and money, but you don’t have to mix huge piles of paint. Mix small amounts–a tiny bit of this + a little of that, maybe a scootch of a third. Maybe even make color charts of colors and ingredients.

                                                    These sites are not digital mixers, but guides for DIY:
                                                    30 Colour Mixing Tips For Artists, How to Mix Colours When Painting
                                                    http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/arti…ixing-tips.htm
                                                    and
                                                    An Artist’s color mixing guide to oil paint.
                                                    http://www.easy-oil-painting-techniq…ing-guide.html

                                                    I have a few document files with information about many color(s) and use them frequently. Something like that may help you.

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