Overratedness of the new colours

When starting with watercolours or attending a workshop, the temptation might be to buy a large variety of colours.   There is definitely a trend of wanting new material especially new paint colours as opposed to learning to play with current colours.

When teaching, the question I get asked the most often is "what colour" I'm using. My response is often learn to "play" with your colours to get to know them more.

I suspect that most of us understand instinctively the overratedness of the new colours. When buying too many new colours at once, the artist skips the important step of getting to know the new colours and how they mix and interact with the other existing colours that one has.

In addition, when buying new colours, they are often easily mixed from colours that you already have.  If the new colours contains 3 or more pigments, they will not mix well with your existing colours as they will create mud.

However, sometimes the new colours work well in  your palette and may become your new favorites.

Here is the latest painting that I'm working on. In the past months, I've purchased 6 perfume bottles. This painting has two of them. This painting should be completed in the coming days.  It still has masking fluid on it in a few areas.

WIP - approx. 16" X 12"

Have a great creative week,

Danielle