Essential Colors
![EssentialColors](https://expeditionaryart.com/app/uploads/2014/06/EssentialColors-800x595.jpg)
December 2018 update: these colors are also now available in the Essential Colors Palette
I’m pleased to finally offer a set of watercolors in my Shop! The Essential Colors includes six vibrant Daniel Smith paints that have endless mixing possibilities. The set is a split-primary palette, providing a warm and cool version of each primary color. Hansa Yellow light is a lemony yellow (cool) while New Gamboge is orangish (warm). Pyrrol Scarlet is an orangish red (warm) and Quinacridone Rose is purplish (cool). Finally, French Ultramarine is a purplish blue, and Phthalo Blue (greenshade) is more teal (cool). When the warm and cool versions are mixed together, they create a bright primary.
![Split primary palette: the inner six colors are included, the outer colors are mixed primaries and secondaries.](https://expeditionaryart.com/app/uploads/2016/08/ColorChart_2-743x800.jpg)
Using a limited palette (explore examples here) can contribute to a painting’s sense of harmony. Creating a color chart, such as the one below, can help you understand mixing possibilities. This example is laid out like a multiplication table. I used half of the chart to create uniform mixes of each color, and the other half to loosely the mix the pigments on my paper together.
![A formal color chart](https://expeditionaryart.com/app/uploads/2016/08/ColorChart-800x795.jpg)
The question of mixing neutral greys and browns always comes up. The trick is to mix complimentary colors together, those that are opposite each other on the color wheel: red/green, yellow/purple, and blue/orange. My rule of thumb is to mix no more than three colors together or they get muddy. Above all, just experiment and have fun!
![Color explorations](https://expeditionaryart.com/app/uploads/2016/08/essentials_explorations-563x800.jpg)
4 Responses to “Essential Colors”
Julie Coryell
This is a brilliant combo of choices! Both creative and disciplined! Can’t wait to explore this palette.
Suzanne
This is the best watercolor post I have come across, I don’t know why there are not more comments! Thank you very much.
Maria
I’m so glad you found it helpful!
Michele
Thank you, this post is extremely helpful.