Color question...

[Wendy]

Going by the color wheel, it is suggested that one add the color opposite for shadows. I've used this on lighter colors like red and yellow, but what should one do for the darker colors like blue and purple? Should one add a bit of the opposite color to a darker shade of blue, for instance and use that for shadows?

A more specific question to those Vallejo people out there: with a base coat of grey blue mixed with a little prussian blue, what would be the best shadow and highlight colors? (Perhaps the answer to the question above will help answer though...)

Cheers,
Wendy

 

[megroot]

Going by the color wheel, it is suggested that one add the color opposite for shadows. I've used this on lighter colors like red and yellow, but what should one do for the darker colors like blue and purple? Should one add a bit of the opposite color to a darker shade of blue, for instance and use that for shadows?


Cheers,
Wendy

Wendy good question.
I made this darker color shade just with the same as for the lighter colors.
For the purple, i mix this one for myself and is not so dark as out of the tube.
You can make it darker for the shade and light it up for the highs. You get a really nice purple.

marc

 

[Einion]

Going by the color wheel, it is suggested that one add the color opposite for shadows.

This is the general rule of thumb but it's just a basic guide. Complementary mixing behaviour is actually far more complex than any simple rule unfortunately.

I've used this on lighter colors like red and yellow, but what should one do for the darker colors like blue and purple?

Depends on the specifics. For blues it can vary a great deal; there's no better illustration of this than the fact that one earth can work okay with a number of blues, or that one blue can be neutralised by a number of choices (sometimes ten or more!)

For Prussian Blue something like Venetian Red can be the best choice. Phthalo Blue GS can often be neutralised very well by a red-orange or scarlet paint (Perinone Orange, Pyrrole Orange, Cadmium Red Light/Cadmium Scarlet), in addition to some red earths. With French Ultramarine Raw Umber often works best, but Burnt Umber and Burnt Sienna can work quite well too.

The mixing complements for most violets is a green.

A more specific question to those Vallejo people out there: with a base coat of grey blue mixed with a little prussian blue, what would be the best shadow and highlight colors?

A little experimenting is probably the only way to find out what works best. For the shadows I'd definitely try a red earth first, see how that goes.

For the highlights try just white first, if that looks wrong try a mix of white with a touch of brown, or a light flesh colour.

Einion

 

[Wendy]

Thanks for the input, guys. (Sorry to take so long to reply.) I figured that shade and tint would complicate things when adding for shadows. That leaves experimentation. I hope I don't make too many 'muddy' colors in the process.

Cheers,
Wendy