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Double Primary Palette (Sheila Waters: 2.5 day)

All Levels – even non-calligraphers

Many calligraphers have little or no art background, let alone training in how to use color successfully in writing with gouache or watercolor or painting backgrounds. This class will demystify problems so color can be used with more confidence. The traditional three-primary palette of medium red, blue and yellow, has limitations when mixing, especially with purples. The double-primary palette consists of two reds, two blues and two yellows, warm and cool of each. Limited to six colors, plus black and white, they can be intermixed to produce an incredible variety of colors without having to buy a tube of every possible color needed. Your understanding of how the color wheel works will grow through interesting exercises, making gradation reference sheets, matching colors successfully, and deciding color schemes. We will explore the mysteries of “what color goes well with what and why” and in what proportions, to produce interesting color combinations, how to write with color on top of color with sharpness, using sandarac, and the use of techniques for special effects.

Plan of Action

  • 1. Achieving predictable mixing.
  • 2. Making reference charts of many gradation exercises to discover the unexpected and wonderful colors that can be found “between the tubes”, mixing bright and subdued tertiaries, tints, shades, finding harmony and discord and exploring other “mysteries” of color.
  • 3. Matching colors, writing successfully with gouache and making colored backgrounds using various techniques and achieving crisp, sharp writing on top.

Supply List: Basics including lap board, dip pens with large & small nibs, pencils, rags. Gouache and/or watercolor in any makes you choose or already have: 2 reds: cool (permanent rose or magenta made with quinacridone for lightfastness) and warm (scarlet lake, flame or vermillion); 2 blues: cool (cyan, pthahlo, cerulean) and warm (ultramarine); 2 yellows: cool (lemon) and warm (spectrum yellow); black (ivory or lamp); white (zinc or what you have); several palettes with small hollows; flat-edge brush (1/4” or 3/8”); two water pots; old brushes for mixing; pipettes or droppers; sandarac if you have it. Bring a 1” letter-size binder with a dozen binder sleeves.

Supply Fee: $20 for 13 color copies of a progression of color charts, about ten sheets of watercolor paper pre-cut and use of various materials.