Color Mixing The Van Wyk Way with Helen Van Wyk

Introduction to Color Mixing

Helen begins by introducing her palette and the rationale behind its arrangement. She explains the importance of having a range of warm and cool colors and how to use white, black, and gray to modify them.

Choosing a Background Color

Helen discusses selecting a background color, using the example of rust. She emphasizes understanding that colors in nature vary in tone and intensity and demonstrates how to mix a dull orange suitable for the painting.

Mixing Colors for Lettuce and Lemons

Next, Helen focuses on mixing shades for lettuce, using different greens and yellows to achieve realistic variations in light and shadow. She also tackles the challenge of mixing the right yellow for lemon flesh versus lemon skin, showing how to adjust tone and intensity.

Understanding Shadows and Mass Tone Colors

Helen shifts the focus to the importance of mass tone colors and how they interact with shadows. She discusses using gray as a base for shadows and how to incorporate complementary colors to enhance depth and dimension.

Mixing Colors for Onions and Green Peppers

Moving on to other elements in the composition, Helen shares tips for mixing the right shades of violet and red for onions and demonstrates adjusting green hues for peppers. She highlights the significance of understanding the underlying hue and adjusting its brightness or dullness accordingly.

Highlights and Shadows: Fine-Tuning Details

Helen talks about adding highlights using pure white sparingly and judiciously. She explains how to apply shadow colors using complementary hues, ensuring the painting retains balance and realism.

Final Thoughts and Painting Philosophy

In her closing remarks, Helen reflects on the importance of dedication, determination, and desire in painting. She encourages artists to practice patience and explore the art of color mixing to find joy and satisfaction in their work. Helen hints at her next lesson, promising to explore painting silver objects and red roses—or perhaps teaching viewers how to make soup!

Subscribe now and join Helen Van Wyk on a journey to refine your artistic techniques and discover the satisfaction of understanding and using the basic principles in your paintings, ensuring you experience the fulfillment that comes from applying Helen's teachings.

Dive into the world of oil painting alongside this legendary artist and instructor, Helen Van Wyk. Discover invaluable tips, techniques, and inspiration as Helen shares her wealth of knowledge. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned artist, Helen's timeless wisdom and contagious enthusiasm will ignite your creativity and elevate your art to new heights.

Helen took the time to teach us the principles and reasons behind painting each element in the progression of a work. Her sensibility in basic natural fundamentals taught us we can paint anything by employing these basics. Subject matter was a minor consequence to Helen. Using the basics, thousands of artists received the confidence to paint any type of subject.

Subscribe now and embark on an unforgettable journey of artistic discovery with Helen Van Wyk!


0:00 Music and Intro Graphics

00:41 Helen's Color Palette

03:51 Color - Hue, Tone, Intensity

11:20 Four Questions to Ask Yourself

13:15 Four Questions to Ask Yourself

14:51 Shadows and Dimension

16:55 How to Prevent Muddy Colors

20:30 Is It Okay to Use Pure White

25:06 Four Ds of Color Mixing


#oilpaintingteacher
#oilpaintingforbeginners
#oilpaintingtechniques