Making sample swatches of your colors

Sometimes it's hard to tell what your colors will look like on paper. Make a sample sheet and experiment! (Hopefully without the help of a kitten...) This may end up as one small component in a longer movie on working plein air or in your sketch journal. Recorded on September 4, 2009 with my new Flip Video camcorder.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Cathy Johnson
• Watercolor
• demo
• FlipShare

[TriforceWarrior]

That's a cool idea! Those blues do look alike while still on the pallate, so this helps. Ooh, I see a kitty's paw in the background! =^w^= heehee

[KateJosTube]

@TriforceWarrior Amazing how dark the colors look on the palette, isn't it! And yes, that's my helper, Ellis...

[littlecatsmith]

Great video! It always surprises me how different the blues look on paper, too. Do you mostly use cold-press watercolor paper? Love the helper-cat (or should I say supervisor?).

[KateJosTube]

Thank you! Yes, they DO look different. I try to put them in the same order on my palettes so I can remember, but my big metal Schmincke palette came with no end of blues that ALL look indigo--I'm always grabbing the wrong one! I should work with it more so I could remember!

And yes, mostly cold press, though I often used hot press in my journals, too.

[soulcomfort1]

I love your new camera! These are a treat! :):)

[KateJosTube]

Thank you! Now if I could just make them download more smoothly...

[deezynar]

Great tip. Thanks.

[sideshowmom]

Your helper is making sure you do it right!

[littlecatsmith]

Thanks, Kate!

[KateJosTube]

LOL! Yep, ALL my helpers are just SUCH a help.  (That one got shut in the bathroom so I could finish the videos!)

[KateJosTube]

I just squeeze out tube paints and let them dry for a few days before folding it shut. Works great! Most brands will re-wet well, especially if you pre-wet them with a spray of clear water!