Pigment colours are what we use to capture the effects of 'light' colour, ie the colours we see in everyday life that are created by light, which is made up of 3 primary colours - red, green & blue.  Secondary 'light' colours create our painting pigment colours: - blue light+green light=cyan, red light+blue light=magenta and green light+red light=yellow.
We use pigment colours made of organic and synthetic materials such as earth, crushed plants, chemicals, oils and varnishes.  Our pigment primaries are blue, red and yellow.  While it is true in part to say any red, blue or yellow can be used to mix the most expansive range of colours, it is best to start with a paler blue like cyan or cobalt, a dark red like magenta or permanent rose and a light to medium yellow.  These can vary depending on the manufacturer and whether they are artist or student quality.
As you can see from my chart, using the three primaries of chrome yellow, permanent rose and a mixture of cobalt and cerulean blue I produced secondary colours of green (yellow+blue), violet (permanent rose+blue)and red (permanent rose+yellow).
Mixing the three primaries together creates black.  This is known as subtractive mixing, and is the opposite of mixing the three primary 'light' colours of green, blue and red which produces white and is known as additive mixing.
Next time I will work with the colour chart and explain its use.  Until then, best wishes with your creativity.
Phelim

Comment (0)