Color study
 

While visiting with a friend and local portrait painter at his studio over the weekend, I caught a glimpse of the following color study. I asked if I could take a look at it and he said sure. It was his study for one of the portraits that I was admiring.

When I have thought of color studies in the past I've always thought of something bigger and more involved. The white cardboard that you see here is no bigger than 10" x 4". Which makes the little head study quite small.

It gives me a little different perspective on just what is necessary and what is possible.

Hi Mike,

Once I emailed Tony Ryder and made a few questions about his way of color study, he then told me about his poster study, he always makes a poster study before painting, he uses a card board or something like that, about 4" x 4".
There's a demo on his website that better illustrates the idea.
I like the poster study idea, recently I received a canvas pad where I'm making these studies.

Color studies are important. In my Scottsdale classes, I combine life drawing, color studies and photo references.

I t hink it is sensible to assume that any and every photo reference will be false, in terms of value, color and edges.

In combining live sittings and photos, little color notes are invaluable. Fundamental are little color notes for the backgroun in light and shadow, clothing in light and shadow, and most importantly, skin tones in both light and shadow.

I couldn't agree with you more, Chris!