Exploring the World of Color: The benefit of creating swatches
As illustrators using traditional mediums, we embark on a never-ending journey of buying art supplies, and exploring the vast realm of colours to bring our visions to life on canvas or paper. With each new tube of paint colours, we hold a world of possibilities in our hands. This is why it’s so exciting to get new tubes of colour! While it may be tempting to dive straight into our masterpiece and use new colours, taking the time to first paint swatches with new tubes of paint can prove to be an invaluable practice.
I did this recently with my new set of gouache paints, expanding on my swatches. So today I’m going to delve into the benefits of this simple yet essential ritual, which allows artists to unlock the full potential of their pigments and elevate their artistic process. Afterwards, you will have created a useful reference swatch guide you can refer to time and time again!
1. Getting Acquainted with Pigment Characteristics:
Every paint colour tube holds unique characteristics, ranging from opacity and transparency to granulation and colour intensity. By painting swatches, illustrators gain a deeper understanding of how each pigment behaves and looks under various lighting conditions. This exploration aids in fine-tuning colour choices, enabling illustrators to make informed decisions that align with their artistic vision.
2. Exploring Color Mixing Possibilities:
Painting swatches facilitates an exciting adventure in colour mixing. By juxtaposing different hues, illustrators can witness firsthand how colours interact and create new shades and tones. Understanding colour harmonies empowers illustrators to create captivating and balanced compositions, elevating their ability to communicate emotions and messages through their artwork. My swatches are the paint straight from the tube, with 2X lighter swatches above and 2X darker below. These give me the starting point I prefer. You paint your swatches and explore your colour-mixing preferences in the way that you best suits your style!
3. Tracking Pigment Usage:
With time, illustrators may find certain pigments become staples in their palette, while others may be reserved for specific effects or occasional use. By painting swatches and recording the colour mixtures, illustrators can keep track of pigment usage, helping them to develop consistency across their work, anticipate when to replenish their supplies and maintain a well-stocked palette. You never know, it might in a splash of something new and unexpected too!
4. Boosting Creativity:
Painting swatches may seem like a simple exercise, but it ignites a spark of creativity that can fuel the entire artistic process. It is a playful exploration with a very simple outcome. Engaging with colours on a smaller scale allows illustrators to experiment freely without the pressure of creating a finished piece. This experimentation paves the way for unexpected discoveries and novel colour combinations that may inspire new artworks and expand artistic horizons.
Conclusion:
In the world of creative practice, painting swatches with new tubes of paint colours is a simple but invaluable practice that unlocks a world of possibilities. From gaining a deeper understanding of pigment characteristics to exploring colour mixing and boosting creativity, this simple ritual enhances an artist's connection with their materials and fuels their passion for artistic expression. So, the next time you unwrap a fresh box of art supplies and those tubes of paint colours, take a moment to create swatches - you'll be amazed at the journey these small strokes will lead you on, enriching your artistry and bringing your creative visions to life.