"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home" (Twyla Tharp)

Making colour charts work for you ....

© Vicki Lee Johnston
I love colour ... lots of it!  However I realise perhaps I love it too much because I have acquired too many tubes of paint and confusion was starting to reign -  who needs twelve different yellows?   There is so much more to it - and this I realise the more I work with watercolours and see the outcome of decisions like choosing an opaque when I needed a transparent colour.  My page of flowers for the SBA assignment was a disaster for me because I realised too late that some of the pigments were affecting the outcome greatly .... if I want to avoid the muddy look and in particular having to wash off and start again ... I need to put the time into understanding colour more.

Colour Chart

Here is my overall colour chart ... all the paints acquired and some not even on there!  A big difference to where I started with only six pigments.  If you want to see the amount of colours you can create from only six here is my blog post


I am very happy I started that way because I do have a greater understanding of colour mixing. If I needed to could go back to using only six it would be good enough.  But there are colours like Quin Magenta, Quin Coral and Quin Violet which I love so much .... and many of my artist friends have put me on to so many good colour fixes ...

Transparent Colours
So I made a deal with myself - before I started the next painting I had to sort my watercolours and understand more about each one to avoid the confusion of before.  I started by sorting all the transparent colours and making their own colour chart which is helpful if you want to create beautiful clear, colourful washes and layer your work.








I also decided to do mini charts in their own colour families...

and while I was at it included colour strips with the pigment details.  These will prove useful for working outdoors and trying to match up colour with a plant or flower and noting it in the sketchbook for painting in the studio later.



If you think this sounds like a lot of work you're right - I spent a few days just working on colour ... but I have a little more confidence that when I make a choice I know whether the pigment is transparent or opaque, staining, granulating, etc.  Perhaps one day I will learn enough about colour to produce works with the luminosity and brilliance of one of my favourite artists, Carolyn Jenkins.   I am always attracted by strong, bold artworks - watercolours can be a little pale at times and to create such colour you have to choose carefully....  for inspiration see Carolyn's website.


Art as therapy ...


                             Many of us have already discovered the benefits of art in our lives, whether as an artist or an appreciative viewer.   On our recent visit to Provence we visited the hospital in St Remy where Vincent Van Gogh spent a year from 1889-1890 after suffering a major breakdown.  I spent quite a while there taking photos and absorbing the atmosphere in such a serene setting.




                             St Remy de Provence, France - Monastere St Paul de Mausole


 While being confined, Van Gogh converted a nearby cell into a studio, and even though he still suffered attacks, he produced 150 paintings during his year-long stay at St Remy.  Initially Van Gogh was confined to a room where he painted the world around him, deleting the bars which obscured his view.




               In the asylum's walled garden he was able to see a beautiful array of flowers and subject matter, including the stunning irises.



Later Van Gogh was able to venture farther afield, and he painted the wheatfields, olive groves, and cypress trees of the surrounding countryside.


One of the more recognised paintings from this period is

From the beautiful gardens it was easy to see his inspiration ...





Vincent Van Gogh said of his time there "I feel happier here with my work than I could be outside. By staying here a good long time, I shall have learned regular habits and in the long run the result will be more order in my life."




The hospital is still used for patients with severe depression and it was good to hear that art is used as therapy for these patients.  There is a shop within the grounds which sells  artwork produced by the patients - with proceeds going to the artist and the hospital.  

I wasn't keen on visiting an asylum on my travels but the Saint Paul Asylum in St Remy was a very inspirational place to visit - lots of light and colour and beautiful subjects within the grounds to get the creative juices flowing .. and hopefully still brings solace, comfort and inspiration to those residing in this amazing place.


A slideshow of Vincent Van Gogh's work set to the song "Vincent"
Starry starry night ....

Monet's Garden ...


 We have just returned from a month overseas  - the usual jetlag, tiredness and mountain of work to catch up on is waiting for me.  There were so many highlights I don't know where to begin so I will start with inspiration... a reminder of the magic of travel, no matter how far away you are - and how seeing new places and enjoying new experiences can renew the soul and inspire dreams ...


 

 I was lucky enough to visit Giverny in France and spend some time strolling the gardens that were the inspiration for so many of Claude Monet's paintings. 




There is so much to be said about Monet's paintings and I would love to talk more about his inspiration and the gardens and ponds at Giverny ... however I am extremely jet lagged and have so many photos to go through for now I will let some of the pictures show a window to his gardens ...




For nature lovers and gardeners it is a source of education and inspiration -  for botanical art enthusiasts it is a door to a world we could get lost in ... how I would have loved to have taken a sketchbook and watercolours and spend many hours, days, weeks surrounded by such beauty.






It seems everyone had the same idea ... even though these photos depict a place of serenity and calm - it was quite a challenge to avoid tourists like me in every photograph and reflection... I guess it's up to us to create a place of inspiration in our own world, no matter how big or small... I am lucky my husband is a keen gardener and works well under guidance :)








I could have walked the paths and gardens all day ... 
 






 The tulips were not at their best ... their had been a lot of 'un-springlike' weather and the peonies weren't in flower but were budding everywhere - in weeks to come it will be stunning

 

Monet's house was lovely and inviting with well lit rooms of good proportions ...


My Dad had a penchant for painting all the woodwork green - not sure if this is Monet's choice but he was in good company ...



  So many tourists (me being one of them!!) it was rare to capture a glimpse of the pond bridges without anyone on them ...



The colours were beautiful ... so rich and striking even on a dull, cold, rainy grey day ... I love the way water reflects the plants, trees and flowers so you have a mirrored effect of the plantings .. a beautiful way to make the most of a visual masterpiece.

 

I hope you enjoyed our visit to Monet's Garden ... my visit to this beautiful sanctuary has fuelled my enthusiasm and energy - can't wait to start painting again!

For more information on visiting Monet's Garden here is the website

All images  © Vicki Lee Johnston 2012