Learn to Use Color Masterfully in Your Paintings

From arranging a color scheme to creating the right mixture, choosing the right colors can be a difficult task. Often painters struggle because they lack a framework for how to think about and understand color.

This class will give you the tools you need to solve both compositional and color mixing problems.

Practice Color Mixing, Beginning with the Basics

Starting with just a color or two allows you to control hue and value with only a few variables at play. Progress toward more complex and challenging color mixing tasks as the classes progress.

Learn to Define Color

Talking about color can be challenging since words like "bright" and "shade" can have more than one meaning: In this class you'll learn three simple terms that will help you fully understand each color you see. This will lead you to know how to mix it, and how to use it in a painting.

(FYI, the painting of the three pairs only has 2 colors plus black... can you believe it?)

Use Color Schemes and Temperature to Create Mood

Beginning with limited palettes allows you to control hue and value with only a few variables at play. Progress toward more complex and challenging color mixing tasks as the classes progress.

You'll learn the pros, cons, and limits of various palettes, and why you'd want to choose one over another.

Use Color to Show Light & Shadow

Colors change in multiple ways from the light side, through the halftone, and into the shadow. Learn predictable patterns of these color shifts and how to properly mix them in paint.

(Yellow is perhaps the trickiest of the colors to paint, and in this course you'll learn why and how to do it right!)

Express Distance through Color

Learn predictable patterns of atmospheric perspective that create the illusion of things being closer or further from the viewer.

Use these ideas not only in landscapes, but in any other subject where you want the feeling of depth. (Even still lives or portraits can use these principles!)

More About the Course...

Throughout the 6 weeks, you'll create numerous small studies in paint. The goal is to exercise a thorough understanding of the ideas presented and gain experience with the materials in order to empower you in your work beyond the class setting.

This class is perfect for any artist who wants to gain better control over the process of painting and expand their ability to compose an image. It’s also great for those who are new to or a little intimidated by color and would gain confidence through a better understanding of how color and pigments work.

Upon completion of this class you will:

• Understand the color wheel and how it directly relates to specific paint pigments
• Possess a concrete color vocabulary based on the Munsell system
• Know the appropriate colors to mix together to achieve a desired color
• Identify and utilize various color schemes and relationships
• Learn how color choices affect the mood and focus of a painting
• Discern how and why color changes with distance in atmospheric perspective
• Perceive how light and shadow affect color on an object
• Recognize popular palettes used by artists
• Understand how to choose colors for a palette depending on your subject

In-Studio Attendance

All materials are provided for in-studio attendance at School of Realist Art. This includes photo references, painting materials, a variety of still life objects, and of course easels and tables.

Access to the online course provided as needed.

Location: 7800 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite #17, Overland Park, KS 66202

Virtual Attendance

• Attend During the Live Class: You get the same high quality instruction as students in the studio. Join live during the class and ask questions or send photos, and/or watch the replays later. Additional resources such as overview videos and PDFs provide depth of information.
• Downloadable References and PDFs: Everything you need to participate including printable reference photos, and class notes are ready for you in the online platform.
• Continued Course Access: Revisit the course videos anytime! In fact, I recommend repeating the entire course multiple times. You'll find that your ability progresses each time you complete a new project!