Thanks to those that were brave enuff to chose and discuss picking out backround colors. From your comments and ideas...a whole new creature has evolved from the woo woo side of my brain. I am irreverent about that area because I am so mystified by it that I would never try to figure it out or ignore it either.
That said, I usually don't spend much time choosing backround color not because it isn't important, but because most of the time the color pops into my head and I set up different scenarios just as a test which usually is a waste of time...I go with my first thought.
Today is a little exploration into why we may pick certain colors for our backrounds or focal points...isn't this going to be fun?
These are the two paper colors that I chose. Now neither one really shows how they look in the real world...what colors actually make them up and how they reflect other colors in different light...but we all know there is nothing like the real thing. Perhaps we can all get together in person for a big party and do this sometime (kind of like a workshop without work).
The black backround was an idea from a past project that I want to go back to work on, but was not really relevant for this piece of art.
Here are a few examples of what I was doing at that time, so you know where I am coming from. I'll clue you in later as to where we are going with this.
I was using black subjects, on the black paper and "highlighting" the lighter colors...sort of a blending of advancing & retreating into and out of the dark. My passion is with light and shadow...day & night...good & evil (just thought I would throw that last bit in :)).
Actual "Pet Portraits" ( can we come up with a better "label"? they are more than pets!!!) are entirely something different with their backround colors.
Dash, was officially my first portrait. When his photo arrived I knew what color the backround would be. To my fellow painters...do you sometimes just know what the backround, or backround color will be? Of course we have to determine that first...it is much too difficult to paint around the foreground and can get really ugly! Ha Ha!
I personally knew this little guy and his sweet demeanor called out for this beautiful dark blue. The white & green emanating from him were sort of like his aura... they just showed up in the end.
Tito on the other hand had to have a very vibrant color to match his personality as it is a bit crazy. My choice was between bright green or blue and as soon as I got to the store, I knew it had to be this blue. The intensity spoke to me!
Getting back to Aleutia, I feel a calmness about her that suggests more subdued tones. The grey paper that I decided to chose also seems to hint at a slight amount of purple strands in it that seems to radiate from her Spirit.
Jan (hope you don't mind me mentioning you to the world!!!) suggested a light blue backround to possibly accent the Husky's beautiful eyes. Something that I had not even thought of. After considering it for a while, I decided that idea might be good for the matted & framed finished piece. Perhaps even a double mat with two colors... purple & light blue.
I'm going to stop with the backround color for now...save some of my other ideas for another discussion. It is time to move forward and get into the actual creation.!!
Please feel free to join in with your own ideas, experiences, with your comments or emails. This is a fun way to share all of our artistic ideas & creations and learn about and share our life experiences.
Till next time, thanks for visiting and Happy Holiday Season!
Diane
