Cleansing My Palette

I’m glad that I didn’t really know a lot about watercolors when I first started.  The initial challenge of applying “paint to paper” was what pulled me in.  I loved how watercolors seem to flow and move on paper, and after drawing and sketching, watercolor painting held the most appeal for me.     

It really takes practice to know how paints will react when mixed with water and brushed on paper, over and with other colors.  Some colors can really brighten your work, while others make it flat and dull.  I needed to become familiar with knowing which paints would give me the right effects and help me keep the “light” in my paintings.  I’m still surprised, for better or worse, when layering in colors.   

            So I’ve been spending some time to cleanse my palette and organize my paints.  I’ve been taking notes on what other artists use.  For now, I’ve narrowed it down to some chosen ones, but I still can’t let go of others.  Alizarin Crimson, for one.  Yellow Ochre or Raw Sienna? – had to do a coin toss between you two.  But, Blue Apatite Genuine – did I ever really need this?     

            This is my new palette, for now.  My next painting will let me know if my choices were good.