snackiies:

it’s such a simple yet hard concept to grasp, right? i’m having loads of trouble starting since there’s no exact tutorial for it, so you’ve gotta broaden your search for the topic.

recommendations:

• i recommend watching speedpaints to get a better understanding on how other artists do it

• the color study tag on here has loads of pics to take inspiration from

• this book called ‘color and light’ by james gurney i’m borrowing from a coworker has tons of stuff that goes deep within the understanding of color (it’s a LOT to take in, i’ve had this for 3 weeks and i still haven’t finished it)

• or if you can’t afford buying books there’s also his channel on youtube and you can watch how he picks his colors for his paintings

• he has this method on making a really advanced color palette to harmonize your piece together called “gamut masking”

• here’s a playlist on color theory which consists of a lecture by richard keyes 

• and an entire school session on illustrating and designing, how to get into a better mindset as an artist

tips to getting started on color study:

1) don’t use the eye drop tool if you can.

i have a pretty basic understanding on choosing colors so i usually eyeball it instead from reference photos. but if you’re a beginner you need someplace to start, picking colors off the pics would be good, but don’t rely on it too much. it often leaves your drawings pretty bland since you’re straight up copying from the camera lens.

2) keep things quick and simple

you’re doing a color study, not an environmental study. i’m having trouble with over detailing my pieces but i’m making a conscious effort to stop caring since the main focus here is the colors, their relationship with the surrounding (even the sky has fricking layers i need to properly understand)

3) pick a picture that inspires you!

i usually pick out photos who has a clear contrast on stuff, so you’d wanna work on something that really attracts your eyes. google is a friend, don’t forget that. it’s better to reference of real life photos than fanart, and plus movie still/screencaps are a good place to see how the colors work out together

4) study your fave artist pieces

pick a piece you like the most and study it. what makes it attractive to you? why does this shade of pink go well with this sort of blue? you can color pick the piece and study their pattern in picking colors, some artists are using the same sort of color palette and it makes them stand out. try to find out why and experiment that method on your pieces of artwork. 

so these are the only things that i have on my plate right now, and i still have a loooong way to go, lol. hope it helps!

@sing-me-a-serenata