I think it's Ron Ranson,one of my all-time favourite artists, who suggests the use of Burnt Umber for tonal sketches. It is also nice, as in this case, to use for a complete monochrome painting. It has a superb range of tonal values that equals that of either ivory or lamp black, two other great pigments that I'm starting to use a little more. And what's to stop YOU putting black in your palette ? I know I have ! Oops, perhaps I lost a few more followers there ?!? Just in case you're worrying that I may be going through my dark period ... well don't, I'm not ... well not just yet anyway ! ... but have a chuckle at someone who I think may be going through his .... LOL.
The Fast Show- Johnny Nice Painter
I hope you are all keeping well. Happy St Patrick's Day ... and of course happy painting too to you all :)
 |
| 'And You And I', Monochrome with Burnt Umber Watercolour and BrushPens on Fabriano5 140lb HP, A5 |
And to make up for my tardiness in posting and commenting, a couple more recent pieces for you, both primarily watercolours of course! The first is purely from imagination, the second is from memory.
 |
| 'Slippery Slope', Watercolour and Watercolour Pencil on Fabriano5 140lb HP, A5 |
 |
| Hemingford Abbots, Watercolour and BrushPens on Fabriano5 140lb HP, A5 |
I have black in my watercolour box too. However I'm not a purist and use ink too :)
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely paintings Mike. Missed seeing you about, but I am pleased you are still posting when you can.
Welcome to the dark side ;o) - sorry I couldn't resist. I'm finding black, in particular ivory black, more and more useful in mixes.
ReplyDeleteYou've been working hard by the looks of it. The compositions of these are great leading the eye all around the paintings and you know I'm a sucker for tonal work. Keep up the great work. It's starting to get warmer now so soon you will be out and about.
Wonderful work, Mike. And there is nothing wrong with using black, you go ahead!
ReplyDeleteI love burnt umber, it has a pleasant flow while painting. I am stil trying to avoid black, but I remember using it in plein air painting years ago, also to mix with yellows to make greens. They are all great paintings, Michael, I love the wet in wet in the second one.
ReplyDeleteNice work Mike. I especially like the second one, where you've let the trees run into the background washes.
ReplyDeleteI don't see anything wrong with using black in mixes. A lot of people use sepia, which these days is usually a pre-mixed colour with some black in it already.
All very beautiful Michael, but my favorite is the first one ...absolutely stunning, what an imagination!! I have black in my palette, too, there must be a reason they sell it :-)) ... blended with Alizarin - Crimson it gives a wonderful dark color, that I use for backgrounds. Have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael.
ReplyDeleteAll great paintings. My favourite is the first one, although the third one is a close second. Nope, no problem using black. With Ultra` and a very small amount of sap green,
makes a brillint dark green. I use it now and then.. All the best Michael.
Vic.
Oh Michael, Michael Michael...Black? I've added it to my palette too, don't tell a soul; I'll deny it. I love the sienna monochromatic sketches. I follow an Italian oil painter who does the entire painting down to the last detail in burnt sienna before getting into
ReplyDeletecolor. I had abandoned that approach, but I'm going back to it. It takes a lot of guess work out of matching the values.
Hi Michael, the three are really beautiful, difficult to say which one I prefer. Recently I have started to use burnt amber more often than in the past, I have to say it is a great color! Have a nice week end!
ReplyDeleteI love them all Michael. The first one has a special atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteI like all of these Michael, but I particularly like the first one. It has a lovely peaceful quality to it and you've achieved a wide range of tones. Nice to see you posting again. ;-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful works, Michael.
ReplyDeleteEspecially love the lsot edge of the green tree xx
Michael, I like very much all three landscapes. The monochrome one is fabulous! Working in one color really makes you focus on values and you did a great job there. As for the pigments, forget all these rules "don't use black", "don't use pre-mixed greens", "opaque white is forbidden"... Do what works and have fun!
ReplyDeleteVery nice works, and welcome back ... the 'Slippery Slope' .. Just heard that term recently .. so it registerd...You have a good imagination and memory !
ReplyDeleteBJ
For what it's worth, no I never use tube black to dead.
ReplyDeleteBut you can get the best by mixing aliz, -ultra blue, and sap gr.. Depending on which you use a little more of it can be a warm or cool black .
Neutral Tint. is also uselful with any of those colors added. BJ
Comme barbara, no black in my palette parce que je n'en ai pas pris l'habitude. Une teinte neutre dont je ne me sers qu'occasionnellement .Je n'ai cependant pas d'apriori avec l'usage du noir.
ReplyDeleteTa scène en monochrome est splendide, et j'adore ton paysage imaginaire. Bonne soirée !
Oh sorry, just forget to translate :))))
ReplyDeleteAs Barbara, no black in my Palette because I have not got used. A neutral tint which I am using occasionally. I did not, however, a priori with the use of black.
Your monochrome scene is splendid, and I love your imaginary landscape. Good evening!
lovely paintings dad xx is the first one you and sue ? looks like you two from the back xxxx hope your okay and i know its a bit late but happy st patricks day. i wernt able to celebrate as i was working hehe.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael,
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see you are back painting and posting. I also love Ron Ranson, you have done him proud with you work.
Nice exercise. It would be interesting to see what it would look like with some glazed over the piece. I love experimenting.
ReplyDeleteJean
Beautiful works, Michael, I love the colours and the romantic warm light in each of them.
ReplyDeleteslippery slope ..beautifully done michael
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for all your lovely comments! I would love to reply to you all individually but I'm still catching up!
ReplyDelete