I took my art history classes backwards in college, so the first art I ever studied were the Impressionists. They left a huge impression on me back then, and stylistically influenced the way I painted.
Now, though, what I appreciate most is their use of color and knowledge of how it works and reacts. How, with just a few dabs of paint in the right place, they managed to blend and mix the scene. It was less about a perfect form, and more about emotions.
So, I was delighted to see that this van Gogh painting was the March Challenge starting point! It caught me a little off guard with the amount of colors in it, and it took me a few minutes of just looking to see them all. Depending on where you look, there are subtle shades of gray and cream, or bold reds and blues that pops out at you. The ground alone has several shades, and the same can be said for the sky!
So, with that in mind, I’ve got a few palettes for you to choose from for your March Challenge. The palette above holds all of the colors that caught my eye first; the ones below focus just on the colors of ground area (top palette) and the sky area (bottom palette).
Which do you gravitate towards? What colors do you see?
Karen Gille
March 6, 2012 at 11:34 amIt seems like just having the color palette below the painting changes how the painting looks. I'm not sure which one I like best, but will probably go with the first one. Those were the colors that first caught my eye, too.
CinLynn Boutique
March 6, 2012 at 12:03 pmI love the bottom palette!! Very nice! Although they're both really nice.
Laura Costello
March 6, 2012 at 12:06 pmThe bottom. l think not too many colors to take in and the coral gives it a bit of pow.
The Crazier Sister
March 6, 2012 at 4:25 pmWhat I'm loving about this is how, whichever color palette is near the painting, it changes the LOOK of the painting. The very first and very last both really make the red in the windmill pop out (altho' the 1st palette really brings out all the reds best)
Thank you for giving us something that keeps us from feeling overwhelmed.
Love, Yesterdays
March 6, 2012 at 4:55 pmI love the bottom palatte. Definitely. Love the rosy colors to it…and great painting!
Jill Palumbo
March 6, 2012 at 10:18 pmSo interesting! I love the middle set because today I need to absorb the calm, warm hues. Maybe tomorrow I'll be up for some of the brighter ones. My moods often sway my color choices.
I do hope I have time to try this challenge.
Sharyl
March 7, 2012 at 9:55 amI recently ordered my beads and planned out my design for my March piece…(as much as I can until the pieces all arrive.) My palette looks closest to your first one, although you picked up on more shades of brown in yours. I'm still "tinkering" with one more idea that may bring in more colors, otherwise, I'll basically have 5.
I love what you've done here, Brandi! The bottom one would never have occurred to me, but I really love that. I may have to use it another time! 🙂
Cynthia@Ornamental Style
March 9, 2012 at 3:02 pmWow, Brandi! These are great. I certainly didn't see all these colors when I first saw the painting. My favorite palette is the second one.
Brandi Hussey
March 20, 2012 at 5:57 pmIt's funny how the colors DO change the way we see the painting, right?? I had fun making the palettes this month.