Colour Study: Red Blue Yellow Series 1 - Part 4

Here we are at the end of this first series that we worked with a Limited Colour Palette of just a Red, a Blue and a  Yellow. The paint colours used are Alizarin Crimson Hue (Liquitex), Ultramarine Blue and Cadmium Yellow Light (both Golden Paints).  

To download the print ready pdf for the colour study click HERE  

In the first video we used three colours to create 12 total colours that was painted on a tessellation.  

1. Mixing 12 colours with Limited Palette,   
​Blog Post: HERE 

In video 2 we explored how to make a Colour Value Chart using the 12 colours made in video 1. 

2. 12 Colour Value Chart with Limited Palette 
Blog Post: HERE ​

In the third video we took the three colours and using the Complimentary idea I mixed Orange, Purple and Green.  Then went from Orange to Blue, Purple to Yellow and finally Green to Red. 

3. Complimentary Colour Chart with Limited Palette 
Blog Post: HERE

I am so excited to finally get on to the Colour Study!  It took about an hour to paint this 13x18cm (5x7in) Rainbow Lorikeet.  Don't be in a rush.  You want to take your time so that you get all the info you need from this study. 

I started with the beak...isn't this bird so much fun!

A colour study is just a quick way to see if the colours that you mixed will work well before you launch into a larger painting.

Building up the body. I love the fabulous colours on this bird.  I can't wait to take more photos of them next time I am in Australia. 

Note the 'sky' blue.  It is value 9 with the Ultramarine Blue, then I lowered the chroma with a lot of the Neutral Grey in the same value. 

The red eyes are amazing.  I love when birds have red eyes.  Do you know any other birds with red eyes?  Leave me a comment below.

​In the past I have painted Horned Grebes with their amazing red eyes. 

Well doing the Complimentary Colour Chart I found all the necessary colours for the branches.   

​Taking the time to do all the preparatory colour mixing really helped on the colour study.    

Step by Step I build up the painting. 

Nearly done!