Current Palette

I know it's almost protocol -artists (and wannabes) have to post their current palettes for the world to ogle.  And since I do a lot of ogling, I guess I should give back some.  So...here's my current palette, subject to change at any time. :)

1. Quin. Magenta (Winsor & Newton)
2. Perm. Madder Lake (Rembrandt)
3. Winsor Red (Winsor & Newton)
4. Pyrrol Orange (Daniel Smith)
5. New Gamboge (Winsor & Newton)
6. Nickel Titanate Yellow (Winsor & Newton)
7. Bismuth Yellow (Winsor & Newton)
8. Permanent Sap Green (Winsor & Newton)
9. Permanent Green (Rembrandt)
10. Viridian (Rembrandt)
11. Ultramarine Turquoise (Daniel Smith)
12. Peacock Blue (Holbein)
13. Cobalt Blue (Winsor & Newton)
14. Prussian Blue (Winsor & Newton)
15. French Ultramarine Blue (Winsor & Newton)
16. Indigo (Winsor & Newton)
17. Quin. Gold, Deep (Daniel Smith)
18. Burnt Sienna (Rembrandt)
19. Sepia (Rembrandt)
20. Payne's Gray (Winsor & Newton)

Well...that's the 20 I use most.  I have a "secondary" palette that cotains a few things I only use on occasion.  I intend to start doing more works using these extra colors so I can learn more about them.  After I do that, I just may make some changes to my list above.

1. Permanent Rose
2. Opera Rose
3. Cadmium Red, Medium
4. Indian Red
5. Cadmium Orange
6. Cadmium Yellow, Medium
7. Yellow Ochre
8. Raw Sienna
9. Green Gold
10. Olive Green
11. Terre Verte
12. Hooker's Green
13. Cerulean Blue
14. Cobalt Violet
15. Ultramarine Violet
16. Burnt Umber

I also have some metallic paints that I haven't really tried.  I keep gold and silver in my auxilliary palette, but almost never even think to get them wet.  Maybe I should try those this weekend, just to get a "feel" for them.  Honestly, I think I'm kind of afraid they might a) be addictive and b) mess up my brushes.  So I guess I should put those fears aside and just dip in.  Who knows?  I may love them.

I also have several watercolor "starter sets" that came pre-loaded with different colors, but so far I haven't really been fond of many of the choices.  I think they just load them up with a few colors they know everyone can use, then fill it out with cheap stuff.  The result looks good, but isn't really very practical.  And I don't understand filling slots with black or white...how many watercolorists really use those?  I only use white to cover a mistake, and black if I'm doing something monochromatic -and for that I prefer sepia.

One exception is my Yarka paints.  The set of 24 has a great color range that I found completely useful.  Sadly, most of their colors aren't lightfast.  If they would fix that, I would probably only use Yarka brand, as I love most of them.  They're grainy and moody and I love the "semi-moist" aspect.  They flow nicely and I always enjoy using them.

Making Changes.... New Beginnings?

I've been updating these pages.  Adding some of the gadgets and putting up links to stuff I've found interesting.  One thing I appreciate is the "blog list" which allows me to delete some of these off my favorites, and shows me at a glance which ones have been updated.  Sometimes just scrolling through my favorites list gives me a headache, and I love not having to open each page to see if something is new.  But, yeah...I do have a long list, so I've stuck it at the bottom.  I probably should break it up into several smaller lists, but...more work, less drawing time.

And speaking of drawing time...I didn't do much yesterday, and none so far today. :(  My Dad was supposed to come into town today so I could drive him to the bank. But...he never showed up so I spent my day waiting around for nothing. :(

I've found so many inspiring ideas online lately.  It makes me itch to get working on something...but I still get scattered and lose my sense of direction and find it hard to commit to one thing. 

I've been working on palettes.  I'm fascinated by other people's equipment and color choices.  Granted, most of them follow the popular standard "limited palette" of a warm and cool of each primary, and a couple of earth tones.  They're beautiful and I still see a lot of individuality in them.  But...I'm really fascinated by the ones that break the mold.  The people who carry around 72 colors; the folks who choose really off-beat pigments that I've never even seen in outside of art supply catalogs; the folks who manage with just three colors or do all their work in a single monochrome.  I love looking, and sometimes see something so breathtaking that the image stays with me all day.

(deep breath) My name is DragonLady, and I've become a color and paintbox junkie.  I'm completely addicted, and I have no intention of giving it up in any number of steps. 

There.  I said it. :)