Color & Temperature Comp Demo from Reference

Using March's themed figure reference as an inspiration, I've put up this simple color comp demo to better show an example of how temperature shifts throughout the body, as a visual and mood-based interest within paintings. If I were to push this study or take this to a full painting, I could exaggerate the diagonal division of warm vs cool in the flesh tones into the negative space more, creating a more atmospheric and mood-driven piece.

I did a light pencil sketch free hand on arches hot press watercolor paper, and then went in with the medium.

Now the example above is just a sample of a watercolor study for temperature and color themes.

When I build a painting, I don't work in quite this method of application or mark-making. For this demo, I just wanted to block in easy layers of color to make a point.

But regardless, the point is to see how the lighting situation and local color in the upper figure from the reference {swipe through} is different than that of the lower figure. Because of the angle that the cool daylight is coming into the room from the open door off frame, the figure is divided at an angle between warm and cool. The upper figure/figure furthest from the daylight {portrait, figure's right arm} is warm with creamy yellows, with some muddied green and rose from the clothing. The lower figure/figure closest to the daylight {figure's left arm, legs and feet} is cool with rose, violets and even green blue light from outside.

Looking for these subtle (or not so subtle, whatever the case may be) cues within the environments and subjects of your live study and reference material is not only deeply informative to the work you want to make, and the process to get there, but is also another level of potential interest to draw on both your creative curiosity as well as your audiences'.

If all else fails, using a seemingly simple or "boring" pose in figure studies as color/temp studies puts a specific focus on your learning.

I've included some main color swatches to the left of the study to isolate all the key hues, from warm to cool, within the primary yellow, red, and blue trifecta. Notice most of these are secondary and tertiary mixes, so quite muted.

The high chroma of the reference photo really only shows up in the jewel-bright tones of the environment, and it is the reflected light of say the wall, the couch, or the outside greenery that creates such flushes of color on my {referenced} fair skin and muted clothing.

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I hope this is helpful or inspiring, or both, for your current and future color studies and paintings! As always, please feel welcome to share with me - privately via email or online on social media - anything created from this reference resource that you wish. Or leave comments/questions in the comments below!

Next up on Patreon: April's themed photoshoot!