Determining your color combination before you even begin a painting will keep you on track and more focused. Different combinations of color convey different feelings, emotions and reactions - such as soft, pleasing, energetic and tense. This demo is only one of many combinations that we will explore during the next few BobBlasts -  all from my Goof-Proof Color Wheel.

I refer to my Color Wheel as a tool box filled with a lot of possibilities. Using just four colors, I can easily and quickly develop an initial painting. I start loose and paint quickly with the four suggested colors, designated by the moveable pointer. 

The way I work is to choose one dominant color first. If my dominant color is RED, I will pick out several shades of red - such as pyrrole red, magenta, opera, etc... they are in the red family. Because it is the dominant color, I will paint the entire surface in the variety of reds - loosely and abstractly. At this point, I refer to the painting as "the red one." Keep in mind, under every good painting is an abstract painting first!

Next, the focal point color is splashed down at the focal point - where you want the eye to land. I may also use the focal point color elsewhere, but it will be toned down so as not to compete and distract the viewer from the focal point.

And finally - in case you missed the focal point color, I paint in the two spice colors close to and around the focal point color. These two added colors tend to "spice" things up. Please know that my Goof-Proof Color Combinations work well for my style of painting. Determining the color combo frees me up to be more adventurous and confident. The more prepared I am,  the more my painting time will be more pleasing and successful.

I warm up daily with this routine exercise. It's my practice time. You don't get a hole in one by putting on the green Go for it! FOUR colors only...