Neutral Colors from the Burridge Goof-Proof Color Wheel.

Welcome back to another BobBlast!

Here's a good question from a fellow painter - I was asked about the subject of neutral colors and how the neutrals relate to the Burridge Goof-Proof Color Wheel. 

Here's what works for me... Neutral colors refer to colors toned down by adding white, grey or black. Also neutrals are made by combining a color with its complementary color. 

Since my wheel has no "complementary color" across from one another, I simply revert back and use the Universal Color System and add its complement. This becomes my neutral. To control the desired intensity of brightness, I add white and sometimes black. This may not appear academic, but the same formula is used when using my Goof-Proof Color Wheel - only the exact colors are different from the Standard Wheel. That's how I work.

Watch the video for explanation and demo:  Simply put - a two-color palette, plus white, grey or black - makes a beautiful range of neutrals. At times, instead of white, I'll substitute Unbleached Buff Titanium White. 

Another way of saying this... to dull or neutralize a color, add a very small amount of its complementary color. The original colors will start to grey down. Now, the color grey is considered neutral - it has no real color name. It's quiet and safe, making it useful around all the other pure colors.

Watch the video for explanation and demo: One more thing I do... Using two complementary colors to achieve a neutral color, brush the entire painting surface and let dry. That's my dominant underpainting color. So now, when I paint, I'll add the original two colors, allowing the under color to peek out haphazardly in spots. The pure colors tend to pop on top and alongside the neutrals.

Practice this for a day or two and your learning experience will not be ... in the Neutral Zone.

Thanks again for watching and telling your friends! We strive for short, substantial, informative bits to help jumpstart your time in your studio.

Love, Peace & Happiness,