Color and Light Theory

Color Theory will introduce the student to the properties of color and how color is affected by light. Students will learn how to mix color to achieve desired hue, saturation, and value. Students will work with Color Wheel systems. Students will also study the mixing of “strings” of paint to understand how a color can transition through a value scale or from one chroma to another chroma.

• Students will understand how to read and use a color wheel.
• Students will learn how to create color harmony
• Students will learn how to use color strings.
• Students will learn how to mix paint for desired effect of saturation, value, and hue.

The class will be taught in oils, but I will also accommodate those who wish to work in gouache, acrylic or a digital medium.

Supply List:

Oils:  Preferred brand-DaVinci Paints for consistent chromatic hues
Titanium White
Cadmium Yellow Pale
Cadmium Yellow Orange – DaVinci is the Only Brand that sells this color
Cadmium Red Light
Alizarin Crimson
Red Rose Deep
Ultramarine Blue
Cerulean Blue
Viridian Green
Ivory Black

Brushes:
-At least two Bristle Flats if not 3 – 4  all ½ inch wide
-One round for drawing with
-And 1 ¼” Filbert for small spots and also a great drawing brush
Paint Thinner:
-Gamsol

Palette:
-White Palette  Preferred cheap palette is Freezer Paper by Reynolds Wrap you can buy at Ralphs or Vons

Palette Knife:
RGM No. 3  Perfect for mixing colors with

Paint Rags or Blue Paper Towels that can be purchased at Home Depot

Color Wheel Canvas Board 11 x 14” / Value Chart  8 x 16” or 12 x 24” Canvas Board

The rest of the semester use canvas boards or Fredericks Red Label Canvases 16 x 20 each   During the Portrait and figure paintings we will split the canvas in half and do Low Chroma on one half and high chroma on the other half

A drawing compass, ruler and pencil  for the first week, for making the spaces on the color wheel, value scale and Kelvin Chart.

Workshop etiquette

• If you arrive late, please enter quietly. If you have equipment to set up, please wait for a break to set up so that you do not disrupt the class.
• The front row of benches is reserved for individuals who are sitting. Standing in the front row will block the view of those behind you. Personal easels are not allowed in the front row, unless they are low enough that it does not obstruct any portion of the view of the people behind you.
• Please be mindful of the amount of space you and your equipment occupy. Economize your work space to accommodate fellow artists.
• Please be polite to the models, and ask first before taking their pictures. The model may require a fee.
• Please do not talk while class is in session. Save all discussions for outside the studio.
• Be sure to switch cell phones and pagers to silent model.
• Don’t comment on others’ work unless it is solicited.
• Animals are not permitted at school for health reasons. Assistance dogs for the disabled are allowed.
• Please clean up your work area and properly dispose of your waste after class. Use the brush cleaning closet, not the bathroom sinks, to clean your hands, paintbrushes and other art tools.
• No turpentine or smelly solvents and mediums are allowed. Odorless mineral spirits is preferred.