Thank you for your report!
We have received your report and it is currently under investigation by a forum moderator.
Greens in acrylic
Welcome to the forum.
Here you can discuss all things art with like-minded artists, join regular painting challenges, ask questions, buy and sell art materials and much more.
Make sure you sign in or register to join the discussions.
Hang on Studio Wall
This is a Studio member-only feature!
Join our Studio membership and save your favourite Painters Online content, from gallery artwork to step-by-step guides, to your own online mood boards. Create your go-to place for inspiration and learning. Plus, members can also enjoy a range of exciting features including monthly art videos and a digital magazine library.
If you are already a Studio member, simply login to your account.
Not a Studio member? Why not try our free 30-day trial - no commitment, no credit card required
Showing page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2
Message
Posted
Acrylics not my go to medium, but I keep trying as I would like to get better at it. Sure the tone was warmer when I finished painting, but it seems overnight it has dried cooler, not just darker, is that possible? Any tips on mixing more natural greens will be very much appreciated 😊
Edited
by Anjana Cawdell
Posted
Anjana I have done a similar subject with similar colour changes. Though mine darkened. I’ve altered it quite drastically . The dark version is reasonable in a photograph, but in reality it was far too dark. Tried several things ended up with second version...will live with it for a few days and see what happens... maybe it’s the weather...😊
Edited
by Sylvia Evans
Posted
Thanks for sharing Sylvia that is beautiful, woodland bursting with spring flowers, love the gnarly tree. I like both versions, like you said the darker version doesn't look that dark in the photo. Did you re touch the whole painting, or glazed part of it? I know acrylic dries darker but thought the darkening stops as soon as it dries, but it seems it reaches its darkest colour almost a day later or am I being paranoid 😁? So, one has to paint wishy-washyily to get the correct strength in the end result! If you don't mind me asking what did you use for the greens Sylvia?
Posted
No you are not being paranoid every time I thought it was finished it had changed, I sometimes think there are paintings that don’t want to be painted. I didn’t like it too dark as it dried by which time I had varnished it. I asked here on the forum if I could paint over the varnish and Robert and Marjorie assured ne I could.
It still didn’t work with just bits done so I re gessoed the top third and got rid of stuff then repainted it almost completely.
My greens are a mix of different blues and mainly lemon yellow ,some with a bit of mixing white.
As I said I will leave it for a while cos it might all change again...lol.
It’s actually my next door neighbours garden.
Posted
It would be interesting to know which brands of paint you are using - especially as one major supplier advertises no colour shift. By the way, Sylvia, I think your first version has, or rather had, a distinct Van Gogh quality about it. It's a pity you painted over it, but if you were the artist and if you weren't happy with it, I can understand why.
Posted
I have a mixture of paints Tony will have a look. The photograph is lighter than the original I did consider other options and did try brightening it in other ways. Van Gogh is my very favourite artist...🌻
I still have the photographic representation of it which I like . It was the actual painting.
Edited
by Sylvia Evans
Posted
I don't know the answer, let us state at the outset - some acrylics dry a shade darker as the water in them evaporates; which is why most of us varnish acrylics, which normally brings the colour back - to test if it will, try brushing a coat of plain water over the paint, and see if that restores it; if it does, varnish.
The acrylics I use are: Chromacolour; Daler-Rowney System 3; Daler-Rowney Cryla; Winsor and Newton's artist range, whose name has changed over the years. I've not noticed any marked colour shift with these - I was just wondering if part of the explanation might be using a transparent colour, or an overly-watered one, over a strong opaque colour - that would, theoretically, explain a degree of darkening after drying; but I haven't much confidence in that as an explanation. Were you using just water, or medium, to spread the paint? That might also make a difference, given the water evaporates, the medium doesn't.
Edited
by Robert Jones, NAPA
Posted
Green mixes: Yellow ochre plus Ultra - dull, medium green;
Burnt Sienna plus Pthalo Blue - deep, deep green;
Cadmium Yellow plus Ultra - plus perhaps a touch of red - wide range of more natural greens, plus a bit of white;
Sap green plus yellow of choice, again can be toned down with red: produces a very vibrant green with Lemon Yellow;
Lemon Yellow, or Cadmium Lemon, plus Viridian or Pthalo Green (the late Syd Edward's favourite hate); quite effective in a range of mid-greens;
Lemon or Cad Yellow plus Pthalo Blue - if you're feeling brave.
The more natural greens do require a bit of white in them, I believe; and if using a green straight out of the tube, especially in acrylics, it does help to mix a yellow or even an earth red with it. Make yourself a colour swatch - try all sorts of mixes on a sheet of paper until you come to a range you're happier with: and note what you mixed to achieve them.
Posted
I used water Robert..it was most odd. I often paint a very dark background before begin , I did in this case. My thoughts are there was nothing to create any reflecting...if that makes sense. I think the dark background absorbed the dark colours. It just all looked so dreary hence my re gesso coat and start again . Lesson learned.
I know I should make colour swatches ,but that’s far to organised for me. I do admire all you folk who do .
This was the first stage Robert, a mixture of Daeler Rowney System 3 and Winsor Newton artist. The next stage was purely WN artist's. I did add water but no more thinner than single cream consistency.
Posted
Tony I would be most interested in finding out which brand claims no colour change 😁
Robert thank you so much for all the green info, looks like I need to buy more shades! I used Cerulean blue with various yellows and white to get the lighter green and pthalo blue and various yellows I believe for the darker greens.
Showing page 1 of 2
- 1
- 2