Painting Tip #19 - Use Your Palette To Judge Values

Judging values is easiest on a mid-tone palette. Compare the tone of your palette to whatever you are painting – is your subject lighter or darker than the palette?

Painting Tip #18 - A Free Brush Washer/Holder

Make your own brush washer by hammering a large nail repeatedly through a shallow can (such as those in which tuna is sold) and then place it upside down in a coffee can.

You can also make a inexpensive (or even free) brush holder by drilling holes (of a size to fit your brush handles) in a two-by-four piece of board.

Painting Tip #14

Set up a still life from life, then set a timer for a shorter period of time than you think you need to complete the painting. Try to paint with as few brushstrokes as possible on a small canvas. This will force you to look carefully and make decisions quickly. You may be pleasantly surprised at your results which will be fresh and loose.

Painting Tip #13

Try to never use green paint straight from the tube. Instead, mix your greens using yellows, blues, earth tones and even black instead or modify the green paint with another color.

Painting Tip #12

Do color charts using your palette of colors. You can either tape off squares on a piece of foamcore or mat board or just use a palette knife and do a gradation from one color to the next. Mix every tube you use regularly with every other tube and then do a tint and a shade! There is no better way to know immediately how to match that color you are looking at. For more information on this procedure, consult the book “Alla Prima” by master artist Richard Schmid.