The earth paints are composed of browns, oranges and various shades of rust which makes for some difficult colour choices. After extensive practice I created a symphony of earth I called Earth Embrace, and other small paintings like the one above. A discovery was to use value contrast, in particular the yellow ochres are considerably higher value than the umbers, and siennas in between. In the small study all shapes were outlined in ochre which gives a good visual contrast and accentuates the actual colour differences between the earth colours.
Swirling Earth, 2.5 x 5" cold press, watercolour, April 2021 (No. 2617a)
On the back I made a Botswana test, this time using synthetic colours like quinacridones, benzimidazolones, and perylenes. Visually they are similar to earth colours when mixed in the right proportions. The two orange pillars are burnt sienna which show the contrast. When I did the first Botswana painting it was not quite right so I did a second one and posted it a few days ago for the World Inspired Landscapes: Botswana. If you click on the link or go back to that blog, I updated the painting with a new third version and added some comments about the versions. So, next stops Brazil and Brunei on the world tour.
Sunset Test, 2.5 x 5" cold press, watercolour, April 2021 (No. 2617a)
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