Today’s watercolor experiment:

Having used the complements of the primary colors (blue with orange in ‘From a Magazine‘; yellow with purple in ‘Imaginary Forest‘; and red with green in ‘Next Complement Please‘), I wanted to combine them all in one composition.

A word about the composition:

I could not think of a natural subject that would allow me to include all three pairs of complementary colors; nothing came immediately to mind, at least. This was good, as it allowed me to exercise my imagination in a different way.

I ‘took my pencil for a walk‘ (a phrase that Paul Klee used to refer to ‘drawing’). I had intended only to draw abstract shapes that would be a framework on which to hang (and juxtapose) my primary colors and their complements. But my design took on personal significance. This surprised me. Usually when I try drawing abstract, non-figurative designs, it is a struggle guiding my pencil. Not so, today. I have had a lot of intense dreams lately and the composition that emerged today spoke directly to my circumstance. This should not be surprising I suppose, since I did create the image. I have always wanted to transfer a vision from my minds eye to an external medium for all to see. Even though my idea coalesced during the creative process, I count this study as a success in the mind-to-paper quest.

Process:

I began with a five-lobed shape that would be my hand. I overlapped the profile of a head and a circular figure, in Venn-diagram fashion. I don’t remember why I drew lightning bolts. But they fit with the abstract idea of the composition. The yellow color of the lightning also worked perfectly against the complementary purple backdrop.

As an homage to my goldfish post, I began with the orange outline at the crown of the head shape. After drying I applied the cobalt teal complement in direct opposition to the orange. I proceeded in like manner with the other shapes. However, for the wrist, I used my flesh color formula: cadmium red light, yellow ochre and titanium white. I probably should have used more white, to distinguish it from the adjacent orange-colored shape.

Fending Off A Dream
9″x12″ 140# Cold Pressed Watercolor Block

Comment:

I am very pleased with this composition. It is pleasing in color and design. When I look at this study it seems more than the sum of its parts.