“Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment.” – Claude Monet

Things I love about September - the crisp end-of-summer breeze, new beginnings, long weekends, being near the water, rosé, and sunshine.

This month I’m focusing on color. In my mind, September is the most vivid, alive month of the year. Nature has peaked and we’re about to enter a period of rest. If I had to pick one topic to focus on forever, this would be it. I’m obsessed with color. I love the nuances of mixing the perfect shade. And the feeling of satisfaction I get when I pair colors in an interesting way. Striking that perfect color balance in an art piece is everything. While I don’t always get it right, color is the driving force behind what I do.

I’m not sure if all artists work this way, but I start most pieces thinking about color. I have a rough concept in my mind of what I’m going to paint. And I mean really rough. Usually it’s just an idea for a subject matter, like “a rabbit.” Then my mind goes right to color, and I build the composition around that. Those of you who read my blog know I love keeping handmade reference swatches in my studio. It’s my quick way of trying out out different combinations until I find one that works.

I didn’t always take such an intentional approach to color. I used to think of color as an afterthought. Similar to working in a coloring book, I would decide on my composition first and fill in the colors afterwards. My work got much better when I started thinking in reverse.

So that’s my challenge for you this month - when you create, can you start with color before you have a composition in mind? Can you make color the primary focus of your work, instead of an afterthought?

By working this way, your work will feel more curated. This is the number one tip I give artists for how to immediately improve their work - be more selective and intentional with the colors you choose. You can’t spend enough time thinking about color. Make sure every shade is just right. While it’s tempting to use shades right out of the tube, I try not to do this. Instead, I’ve developed the perfect recipes for shades I use again and again in my work. Use this month to develop your perfect color recipes.

Journal Prompts:

1. How does using color in my work make me feel?

2. What is my favorite color? Why? What about my least favorite color? Why?

3. How could I make better usage of color in my work?

4. What are the most prominent colors found in my home and wardrobe? Do I use the same colors in my art?

Sketchbook Prompts:

1. If you were a color palette, what would you be? Paint it in your sketchbook and name each color.

2. Illustrate an object or scene using only one color.

3. Illustrate an object or scene using only two colors.

4. Create a piece centered around a color shade you’ve never used in your work before.

Assignment:

Create a color display in your studio…

Option 1: Go to the hardware store and pull paint swatches of your favorite colors to cut out. When you get home, find a fun way to display the swatches in your workspace.

Option 2: Using your art supplies and paper, make your own swatches to display.

Fun Finds:

• These color palettes by artist Elena Comte.

• Literally all the paint swatches in the Magnolia Collection.

• When I think of color, I think of the movie Funny Face. Especially this scene.

• Parul Arora’s A Love Letter to Color. Also love this video of hers.