If you have two shapes in a painting that have highly contrasting colors, the transition can sometimes be too abrupt and harsh. In order to soften the transition, you can create a color bridge between the two shapes. This is a color that visually bridges the gap between the two shapes, and that reduces the single large step in color contrast to two smaller steps. The color bridge may be visible in nature or you can invent a color even if it is not there in reality. In this painting of Big Sur, the cliff shadow softens the transition between the dark cliff and the light beach. The beach also softens the transition between the cliff and the ocean.

In this course unit

In this unit you will learn some advanced strategies for using color theory to enhance your painting, as well as how to create certain special effects that are extremely useful in lighting situations such as evening scenes. Some of these effects can create the most beautiful paintings. In the painting below, I used the technique of irridescence, a technique I learned by examining the paintings of William Ritschel, one of my favorite California Impressionist painters who lived not too far from my home in Pacific Grove.

You will learn:

• beautiful effects of luster and irridescence and how to create them
• how to create color threads to maintain your viewer’s interest in your painting
• how to use complementary half tones to make your whites glow
• what to do when you need to reduce the emphasis on a part of your painting without a major re-design
• how to use color bridges to soften harsh transitions between shapes
• a technique you can use to create visual interest in otherwise smooth, flat backgrounds
• information on what colors people prefer and why
• how to create luminosity in paintings
• using transitional halftones to make your whites glow

Total number of assignments: 7

Total number of pages: 21