Painting Dark Colours

Painting dark colours can be difficult. It is best if dark colours are transparent and warm. Dark colours usually should not be too close to the edges of the painting. Most artists mix their dark paints as this makes a more vibrant colour; they do not use black paint. The dark paints can be a red black, blue black, purple black and green black. Because I have difficulty painting black colours, I do use an Ivory black paint. I usually paint this over another colour, i.e. a warm blue. Once the black is dry, I add strokes of other colours such as a vibrant crimson and scarlet red. This provides me with a dark vibrant black. Also if you paint your dark colour beside a light colour, the value of the colours will be enhanced due to simultaneous contrast.

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Pissarro's Impressionist Painting - "Boieldieu Bridge in Rouen"

Camille Pissarro was a French impressionist painter (1830-1903) born in the Virgin Islands. The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) has Pissarro’s masterpiece, Boieldieu Bridge in Rouen painted in 1896 (oil on canvas). Pissarro was then having problems with his eyesight and he painted from a window in his home. The artist is looking down at a busy bridge and wharf with buildings in the background. Pissarro used a variety of gray colours, i.e. greenish grays, to paint a rainy day scene. These gray colours enhanced a few intense colours (simultaneous contrast). Smoke rises from boats and buildings. The painting is filled with light and shadows.


Pissarro was known as the "Father of Impressionism". He was a mentor and worked with many of the Impressionists and Post Impressionists including Cezanne, Gauguin and Degas. Pissarro exhibited at all eight of the Impressionist exhibitions. His paintings help our understanding of impressionist theory.


[Click on title of this post to view information and images of the artist’s work. The link to the AGO is on my site. Unfortunately a major website about the artist is under construction.]


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Original Fine Art Painting, Colour Contrast - Apples and Pot

Apples and Pot

Original Fine Art Painting
Acrylic on wrapped canvas on wood stretcher bars
8 by 10 by 0.75 inches, 20.4 by 25.5 by 1.9 cm

I increased the impact of this painting with contrasts of dark and light colours.

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My Sketch of Sculpture by Artist, Fransique

Graphite on paper.
8 by 9 inches (20.4 by 23 cm).
All rights reserved.

I did this quick sketch of a sculpture in the Art Gallery of Ontario. The bronze sculpture by French artist, Joseph Duret Fransique was done around 1847 and is called, Fisher-boy Dancing the Tarantella.

One of the benefits of sketching from sculptures is that you can move around them, sketching them from different sides and they do not move. One of the difficulties if the sculpture is inside is the lighting. I also have problems with both my arms; it is harder to sketch holding the sketch book. I use a sling to help me support the sketch book.


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Original Fine Art Painting, Contrast of Dark & Light- Boat on Ramp

Boat on Ramp
Original Fine Art Painting
Acrylic on wrapped canvas on wood stretcher bars
8 by 10 by 0.75 inches, 20.4 by 25.5 by 1.9 cm

I was interested in painting the contrast of the dark boat against the light beach. The dark and light colours enhance each other.

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Framing Small Fine Art Paintings

My paintings are 8 by 10 inches and although they are not considered miniature paintings, they are considered small.

Since my paintings are on wrapped canvas and wooden stretcher bars, they do not need frames. However, the paintings can be framed or placed in float frames. I let buyers of my art choose their frames. They can then select the type and color of their frame. Shipping costs are also cheaper. I like to place my paintings in a 3 inch frame or a float frame. I have also purchased paintings by 2 different artists. Since their styles were similar, I put both paintings in separate one quarter inch frames and hung them side by side; one painting was beside but slightly lower from the top of the first painting. I like this décor pattern and have also done this with larger paintings. Select and try out frames with the painting before purchase.

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Original Fine Art Painting, Brush Strokes-Two Gulls on Pilings

Two Gulls on Pilings
Original Fine Art Painting
Acrylic on wrapped canvas on wood stretcher bars
8 by 10 by 0.75 inches, 20.4 by 25.5 by 1.9 cm

I was interested in painting visible brush strokes particularly in the water.

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Sketch & Study from a Master Painting-Female Figure

This is a sketch I did from a painting by French artist, Nicolas-Andre Monsiau. The painting is Zeuxis Choosing his Models. The painting was done around 1797 and is at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). The sketch is graphite on paper. I liked the pose of this figure and I might do a similar pose for a new painting. You can click on my site's link to the Art Gallery of Ontario to view the painting.

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Drawing after the Masters, Male Head After Van Dyck

My Drawing after Van Dyck
Graphite on cartridge paper
20.4 by 25.5 cm, 8 by 10 inches

My sketch is after Van Dyck. Van Dyck was a Flemish Baroque painter who lived in the 1600s. I have mentioned that like the artists before me I study and sketch works by the Masters.

[Click on title of post to see more information and works by Van Dyck.]


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