[Lomi]

Im incredibly new to the use of color. Been dabbling with it trying to figure out how one goes about choosing colors to use... I'm not sure exactly how most people do this, I have a hard time deciding what colors to use and where to use them.

Does anyone have any insight into methods of color picking, or know of tutorials that can help me with this? ATM I am stuck painting in black and white then fiddling with the Hue/Saturation with colorize on .

Any help would be extremely appreciated!

[Derek]

Yow...
Color is probably one of the most subjective topics around. You're going to get a lot of answers here I think. At least, I hope you do!
Color is incredibly powerful, drawing on emotion, our memory, likes and dislikes, harmony and balance and their opposites, etc. I would suggest that you think of what results you want thematically. What response do you want from your viewer? Also, do you want to be photorealistic? Idealized? Evocative? Forceful?
If you want bright and cheery and idealized, look for reference and images (film is great for this) that give you the feelings you want to get from your viewer. If you want evil, drama, tension, same thing. Think of great visual moments of films, what were the color palettes? Why do they work?
You can look to books and online to understand color theory; basics such as triads, harmony, split complements and such, so do that as well.
Now, as to knowing how to mix or lay out or select just the right color.... aagh. You're going to be on your own, and I know you don't want to hear that! That's experience. You'll read that some people always use certain types of underpainting and such. In this area, look at some great painters and try to find out a bit about how they would start a painting. The way you're doing things now isn't terrible for a start, but I know you want to build up your confidence. No harm in ditching b&w and doing monochrome stuff is there? Maybe start there... hey, it's only 'one' color, but it's not black and white anymore!
You'll get advice from others on the forum here, and if it weren't so late I'd unfuzz my skull to think clearly on a few pointers.
Will pass some along in the morning. But for now, think about your atmosphere, mood, and what you want to get across and to draw from your viewers. There will be palettes and theory you can choose from. If you want, be literal and feel free to email me saying 'I want this and this...' and I will give you some suggestions that you can start to make sense of, and then build on as you understand this better.

Edited to make a few things clearer, I hope...!

[ December 23, 2001: Message edited by: Derek Smith ]

[Jason Manley]

huge question....

check the color theory thread. do a search.

If I was starting all over I would do it exactly the same way. Draw and paint from life as much as you can...that way you will truly come to an understanding of light, mood, color theory and color atmosphere.

start simple...paint a still life...really observe it...spend anywhere from 3-10 hours per image....do quicker ones to warm up...paint what is around you...objects..friends...your favorite stuff...you name it.

once you understand it you can recreate it from imagination....

jason

[klash.jr]

Derek Smith what is your emai addy?
I want to write to you as well i have few simple questions i would like to write.
If it's to personal of a thing email me and i'll email you after. [email protected]

[Lomi]

thanks for the help guys, reading a few of the links given on that thread now .