Autumn - The Seasonal Palette

Harvest
5" x 7", Mats to 10" x 12"

AUTUMN - The Seasonal Palette
Depending on the weather and climate, autumnal trees can be either brilliantly colored or neutral and understated. Brilliant fall colors can be spectacular when with paired with a bright blue sky.


Autumn Palette Colors:
• Cadmium Red
• Alizarin Crimson
• Cadmium Yellow
• Sepia
• Payne’s Grey
• Burnt Sienna
• Sap Green
• Phthalo Blue


Basic Leaf Color is made from the following colors:
• Cadmium Red
• Cadmium Yellow
• Sepia

Redder Leaves are mixed from:
• Cadmium Red
• Cadmium Yellow
• Burnt Sienna


Distant Trees are mixed from:
• Cadmium Yellow
• Burnt Sienna


Deep Colored Leaves and Shadows are mixed from:
• Alizarin Crimson
• Phthalo Blue


Dark Green Tones are mixed from:
• Sap Green
• Payne’s Grey
• Sepia


Muted Green Tones are mixed from:
• Sap Green
• Sepia


Painting Trees:
The foliage on any tree is usually multi-colored, visible as tiny flecks of color and tone that represent the leaves. The palest flecks are the highlights – reflections caused by the bright light on the leaves, darker flecks are the shadows on the underside of the foliage. A helpful technique for capturing the effect of broken color in foliage is a manner of applying color. Instead of mixing red and yellow to create orange, try dabbing separate dots of color red and yellow onto the picture. The two colors merge in the eye of the viewer to create a vibrant orange. Dabbing on color also creates an impression of movement.

Word of caution: leave some spaces white to keep the painting from looking messy.


Using the colors in the autumn palette, brilliant or quiet autumn scenes can be created. Depending on the amount of colors mixed, the colors can tend to be bright vivid colors or shades of brown or gray.

Painting the Autumn Sky:
A bright wash of Phthalo Blue will make a nice contrast with brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows to indicate a clear, bright and sunny autumn day. However, a diluted wash of Phthalo Blue with a little Burnt Sienna will subdue the color and blend well with clouds and leaves of shades of brown and gray.


Watercolor Tip:
Color sets the mood for the painting! This is true no matter what season or subject matter. Remember this when selecting the colors used in your painting.


Happy Painting!
Karen Cooke