Colour Connections

Problem solving for artists can be quite a complicated affair but here are some tips on what to look for when your painting just won’t work!

I feel that there are no longer RULES in art but that these are tips, to be used if they work for you under particular circumstances.

Tonal values are very important here in this painting

Tonal Values

• How have these been used? Remember, every colour has a matching tonal value. Its all too easy to get carried away with colour and forget that your artwork has to work tonally in order to be successful. Looking at your artwork through a piece of red coloured glass will be helpful here. The red glass cuts out the colour and lets you see whether your work is, in fact, working tonally.
• What effect does this use of tonal value have?
• What can be done to rectify this?

Colour Balance

• Where is this successful?
• What can be done to rectify this?

Use of paint – tactile quality

• Do you feel you want to touch it?
• If not, why not/ Art is a particularly tactile medium, which fascinates the viewer when different brushstrokes, paint marks etc are used

The texture in this painting enhances it's tactile quality

Are you developing a personal signature in your work?

• If so – is it in the brushstroke / colour use / use of media / theme etc.
• Does your work show development in one of more of the above?

Format edges

• How have the edges of the format been resolved? Remember, you usually need to balance opposite edges with one another. The work will look unbalanced if you have many more colour changes on one edge than on its opposite edge

Is there a” quite area”?

• Artworks can bet overpowering and confusing with too much information. The eye needs a place to settle in order to take in the whole of the artwork

Focal point

• Is there a focal point? Generally a focal point works better above the middle of the artwork – though not always.

What is the main emphasis of the work?

• Is it brushstroke / colour / shape / symbolism etc?

Obviously, there are many more reasons for an artwork not to work, but hopefully this will give you something to go on. Later we can look at other areas of problem solving for artists.