What's with the Orange, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

What's with the Orange?  2013, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 7x5

 

Funny how most artists will use a color palette that can be identified almost anywhere.  I've talked about my palette a couple of time, and tend to use the same colors, with perhaps a visitor or two every time I refill. 

 

Familiarity with your palette is a good thing.  Mixing requires little thought, and you learn what to add to darken or lighten, and the value you are likely to achieve with each mix.  When you add a visitor, as you use it with your familiar palette, you incorporate its color attributes into your color memory little by little until it too, becomes a tool rather than a surprise. 

 

For some reason, this season it's all about the orange. Cadmium orange is the new regular on my palette, rather than some of the less powerful or mixed oranges.  Its a bit of an upstart at times, requiring some disciplinary action when it becomes too bold but its warm and outgoing nature can add a lot to any setting.