Richard Whitten Workshop Download

Richard Whitten, Professor of Painting at Rhode Island College, draws on his technical knowledge and art history to discuss: 

DEVELOPING A PERSONAL COLOR PALETTE

Every artist’s palette is personal. Their palette fits their concept of how their paintings should look. Is their painting Earthy? Natural? Artificial? Unworldly? Much of how an artist succeeds in making a painting feel a certain way is in what pigments they choose to use. 

Palettes have been small. Rembrandt’s used only seven pigments. Nevertheless, the contemporary artist has over a hundred permanent pigments to use—each with its specific properties. This is an overwhelming, redundant, and ultimately unwieldy number.

This seminar will discuss strategies for building a palette. Pros and cons for different pigments will be discussed as their mixing qualities are demonstrated. The initial pigment needs of the painter will be established. Then, additional colors will be suggested and discussed.