Let Me Set the Mood Right (The Process #1)

No matter what...When I begin a new piece there’s always a conversation with me telling myself, “Ok, lets set the mood off right.” ***Start music streaming***

There’s nothing like the process of painting, but underpainting stages are always my favorite because they are sites of revaluation and compromise, balance, abstraction and rawness.

So, by mood I simply mean add color. It’s as simple as warm and cool, bold or chill, more Hip-Hop or more R&B. I take time particularly on base coats because even though I know I will add layers to give it texture and depth I prefer to begin with value in order to let visible strokes guide my eye across the canvas rather looking at flat color.

If I plan on adding images I will make a mark in the appropriate color and area to make sure the flow remains within the composition. Once I’m satisfied with the composition I begin to dance on the canvas with the paintbrush. I push and pull the color in images forward and back again in deliberation of how far to layer any specific section.

The beginning for me is definitely about defining the palette and establishing a comfortable composition. I take that time exploring how the colors sit on top and next to one another before moving onward. Sometimes my underpainting reveals an abstract work that I take in another direction just because through the process so much more is seen.

(Color can mean so many things to different people and cultures, I learned this during my self-study of color theory. So, I advise when choosing color begin with what feels right to you. Exploration through art is a joy few can takeaway from you. If you choose later to take it further, inform your decisions and fuel your learning by reading books, studies, articles, and watching videos about the topic.)

A few books I found helpful:

- “ The Art of Color” By: Johannes Itten

- “Theory of Colours” By: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

- “The Designer’s Dictionary of Color” By Sean Adams

- “A Dictionary of Color Combinations” By: Sanzo Wada

- “The Secret Lives of Color” By: Kassia St. Clair