Stuck in a color rut?

I find myself using the same color palette over and over again.  I'm always using Golden paint's Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold, Transparent Red Oxide, Dioxazine Purple, Turquoise Phthalo, Quinacridone Magenta.

My newest favorite (also Golden) is Green Gold.  I've just started exploring the possibilities with this color.  Maybe this will help me get out of my color rut.

Tip:  Bookmark this page for help with color.
colorschemedesigner.com  This site is very helpful for figuring out color combinations including analogous colors, complimentary colors, split compliments, etc.  It also shows tints and shades of the primary hue.

 

"Lavender Sky" mixed media tree landscape © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Lavender Sky

This is another in my tree series featuring various collage elements.  Careful inspection reveals lace paper, corrugated paper, and watercolor paper all covered securely with crystal clear epoxy resin.
For more information, click here to go to my website.

"Forest Wonders" mixed media abstract tree landscape painting © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Forest Wonders

Another mixed media collage in my tree series - this one was a demo in my recent workshop in Lacomb, LA.  My students love doing these tree paintings when they get the hang of it. 

I keep emphasizing "dark on light and light on dark" - its all about values.

For more information about this painting, click here to go to my website.

"Gemstone 16" mixed media geologic abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

Gemstone 16

This is a demo from my recent workshop in Lacomb, LA.  It's the 16th in my Gemstone series.  I never tire of doing these it seems.

"Cream & Sugar" still life with cream and sugar in Van Gogh pattern © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"Cream & Sugar"

Leslie Byrd Saeta 's 30 Marketing Ideas in 30 Days day 2 assignment is to choose a painting that has not sold for some reason, but you like and think is worthy of another consideration. 

 

Here's my choice. I did this painting when I was doing realism paintings in oil. It's called Cream & Sugar and is a painting of my china set. Click here for purchase information: http://carolnelsonfineart.com/works/93512/cream-and-sugar

 

This is a painting of my cream & sugar containers in my china set called Van Gogh. 

"April in Carolina" mixed media spring abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"April in Carolina"

This painting was another demo at my recent workshop in Raleigh, N.C.  I was inspired by all bright colors and blooming everything while I was there.

For more information, click here to go to my website.

"Summer Love" mixed media textured trees © Carol Nelson Fine Art

This is the result of my playing around with crackle paste.  I started this painting last week in my workshop in North Carolina.  This week I've been playing with the colors.

These warm tones of coral, violet, and turquoise remind me of summer memories.  Maybe this palette is an escape from the drab winter palette that is finally beginning to brighten up in Colorado.

For more information about this painting, click here to go to my website.

"Batik Poppies 2" 13026, faux batik flower poppies © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"Batik Poppies 2"

This is another demo painting from my workshop last week in Raleigh, North Carolina.


There is a rather involved process to this painting.  The original painting is done on lightweight rice paper, which is then waxed, crumpled, and repainted with darker tones.  Then it is ironed to melt the wax.  The second round of painting, after the crumpling, shows up as tiny lines and fissures in the painting, similar to batik.

One is left with a faux batik painting on thin rice paper, which is then mounted on watercolor paper, then mounted on a canvas for display.  For more information on this painting, click here to go to my website.

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Thirteen days left until the start of my workshop in the New Orleans area (Lacomb, LA, actually). Four fabulous days with me learning my mixed media techniques.
Click here for more details.  Sign up soon as space is limited.

"Outside the Box" mixed media abstract © Carol Nelson Fine Art

"Outside the Box"

I just got back from my 5 day workshop for Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh, NC.  I got the artists in the class used to cutting, pasting, stenciling, stampling, gluing, waxing, texturing, and, oh yes, PAINTING to create their masterpieces.

They learned about ironing tyvek, cracking foam plates, waxing faux batik, making trees out of failed paintings, 50 shades of green, making their own stamps, adding texture with modeling compound, rusting metal paint, and using burlap, corrugated papers, foils, epoxy resin, and more in their work.

They learned about economical substitutes for expensive art materials.  They learned about putting their art on the internet.

Me pointing to the Jerry's sign.

We don't have a Jerry's store in Denver, so I was thrilled to walk through their "candy store."  Not far from this Raleigh retail outlet is their 100,000+ square foot warehouse, which sends art supplies to the WORLD.  

Special thanks to Sharon DiGiulio, Stacy Stover, and Joe DiGiulio from Jerry's for taking care of me and anticipating my every need.  And thanks to North Carolina artists Sandra, Debi, and Dianne for hounding Jerry's to bring me there!

Spring in the Basement - latest newsletter from Carol Nelson Fine Art

Hello subscribers and art lovers,

My basement studio is basking in spring light - it comes

in a small window covered with vines, but, hey, it's

actual sunlight.  As usual, things are busy, and busier.

Recent sales are up. I think people start thinking about

decorating and remodeling in the spring, so one place they

start looking for artwork is my website.  I couldn't agree

more - here's a few that went out the door recently:

      

 

    

 
 

       

Workshops - As we speak, I'm getting ready for

a 5 day workshop in Raleigh, NC, starting next week,

sponsored by Jerry's Artarama.

In May, I'm heading to New Orleans for a 4 day workshop.

There are still openings in this one, if you want to

visit the Big Easy AND have an incredible art experience.

I want to sample that famous bayou cuisine.

I don't think it's too soon to talk a little about

my Wisconsin workshop at Dillman's Resort (dillmans.com)

in September.

I've never been there, but I grew up about 150 miles from

there, so I know about a vacation in the north woods.

This might be a good one to bring the husband along -

just send him off fishing (which is great, I'm told) while

you paint!

  Here he is fishing on White Sand Lake

  Here you are in class (notice big

tables, overhead mirror, nice classroom).

  Fall in Wisconsin

Please see my website for all workshop details.

Upcoming Shows - I'm excited to return to the

Downtown Denver Art Festival (May 24 - 26) this year. 

The location has changed to the lawn and canopy area

of the Denver Performing Arts Center. 

I'll be in booth 27.

I have more shows in August, but I'll tell you about

them when the time gets closer.

I am happy to be included again in the International

Society of Acrylic Painters (ISAP) 5th annual

International Open Online Show.  This acceptance gives

me signature status in that organization.

Juror Skip Lawrence chose this painting of mine to

be in the show.

   "Tapestry", 40"x30"

One more thing: My private and semiprivate lessons

conducted right here in my basement studio are for

those who want the fast track to learning about how

I do mixed media.  Send me an email for more info.

As I write this, Denver is due for a blizzard starting

tonight. It's our 4th biggie of the year.  Fortunately,

I LOVE blizzards.  Pea soup will be on the menu.

I hope you're having a flowerful spring, with birds

tweeting and warmer days to come.

Carol

email: carolnelsonfineart@comcast.net

blog: carolnelsonfineart.blogspot.com

website: carolnelsonfineart.com