A Limited Color Palette Part I

Why use a limited palette when there is conceivably every color of paint under the sun made by a plethora of art companies at our disposal?  While artists will no doubt debate over the brand of products, I adopted my painting teacher's limited palette and have been thrilled with the success.  What I found were limitless possibilities in color mixing, but more importantly, in incorporating a limited palette I learned how color is created.  In this age where color is readily mixed by computers or selected from computer palettes of thousands and thousands of colors this might seem like insignificant brain-training.  I don't believe this color creating knowledge to be obsolete or useless and offer to you, the reader,in the next few posts, some of benefits of learning from a limited palette.

With just several hand picked colors of pure pigment one can paint any color under the sun.  When computers were first making their debut, folks were excited by the possibility of sixty-four thousand colors.  My immediate thought was that the human mind can manufacture and infinite number of color combinations!  Sixty-four thousand is actually a small number when compared to infinite.  I'm not slamming the use of computers.  To the contrary, I use them for art endeavors on a daily basis.  But I do not have to depend on computers to create color.  I learned that with a limited palette of paint, an easel, a canvas, a mixing tray and daylight.  It was an intellectual exercise that took quite a bit of time - years!  But mixing color, like many art based endeavors, teaches the mind to problem solve - and that ability pays dividends in many areas of life.  This is a big reason I believe the reduction of art programs in the schools - visual art, creative writing, drama, and music - to name a few - is terribly short-sighted!  Who would not benefit from intellectual exercises in problem solving?  The human gift of creativity is perhaps more multi-sided and useful in all areas of life than the decision- makers of these programs give credit.

"I Can Only Draw Stick Figures"

Most artists, no matter what their field of endeavor, are at some time told, "wow, I could never do that, I can only draw stick figures, or I can only play "Chop Sticks."  The words are intended as a compliment, which is fine.  But behind the comment lies the thought that artistry is just something one has or does not have.  While every human being is gifted in different capacities by their Creator, one must also develop their God-given gifts for them to have meaning for other people.  How sad to be given a gift and not develop that capacity!  It's kind of like loving someone, but never expressing one's feelings to the object of their affection.  It goes unnoticed and without meaning.

Developing those gifts requires time, commitment and determination. To move forward one may see the need to receive instruction from another, or to work in concert with a few other artists, exchanging ideas and encouragements and thoughtful critique.  If one waits to be "inspired" the development of one's artistic gifts will suffer.  It's best to plow through those times we do not "feel" like painting, or writing or practicing that instrument.  A painter paints, a writer writes, a musician plays whether or not they feel like it...that is part of commitment.    

The Apostle Paul teaches us that our gifts are not given for our own pleasure.  They are given for the benefit of others.  Although Paul was focusing on "spiritual gifts" the same can be said for "natural gifts."  If we developed our gifts with the benefit of others on our mind then our art can have great meaning both as we work and as we consider how to brighten someone elses life by the things we create. 

As an artist we all appreciate when someone likes our work enough to pay us for it, for that says something significant about the way the art makes them feel.  Far better however, are those times when someone is brought to tears because of something we have worked hard to develop and create.  If someones heart is deeply touched and we have communicated something so tender or thought-provoking that an emotional reaction ensures, then that is like applause to a performer, like a metal to an athlete, like a diploma to a student.  It is worth all the long hours and practice of our craft to be a part of making something that effects another in a positive way.  

Art and Faith During Troubled Times

In Inspired by Faith, author Robin Landa address the why to creating artworks of faith.  "Artists choose to paint religious and spiritual works in order to reveal their beliefs to themselves, to others, and to God...Painting, one of the most dynamic and complex mediums we have ever invented, allows us to seach out our minds and souls, revealing our inner worlds.  Art makes ideas, feelings, and beliefs visible to ourselves, as we create it, and to others, when they see the finished work.  Art affects its viewers, influencing people, awakening their perceptions, stimulating their senses and enlightening their minds and souls." 

My painting teacher who taught me much about color theory often talked about an artist having "soul" in their work.  Although I was not a color theorist, nor my works impressionistic as his were, I admired much about his work, and sought to emulate his use of color.  I tried to incorporate the color knowledge he taught me within my own style of painting. He told me that my work had a lot of "soul."  It's not something I can thoroughly explain but what an artist believes comes out, indescribly, through their work.

We have reasons for creating.  Something moves us.  If we experience much in our hearts as a result of our faith, then we somehow want to express this visually so that others might share our experience.  We want to make our faith come alive for other people.  As I painted Jesus Coming Forth From the Grave during an Easter worship service, someone in the congregation remarked to the person sitting beside them, "I've always known about Jesus, but when I saw this painting I realized He is alive!"  This brought tremendous meaning to me and made all the long hours of learning to paint worthwhile.

Especially in times of widespread difficulty it is often artists that capture images that express what many feel.  Such days are with us now.  We search for comfort and meaning in the aftermath of horrible violence.  Artists of faith paint, photographers of faith take pictures, musicians of faith play new music and writers of faith compose sensitive compositions to light the candle of belief and trust in God and give others a way to share their hope.

In these days may you use your God-given talent to encourage someone with faith.