Palettes Have Personalities

What Paint Colors and Relationships Have in Common

Whether acrylic or watercolor, I think of my paints like people. They each have a unique “thing” they bring to our relationship. Some are intense, others, pale. Some are more opaque, some more transparent. I was reminded of this recently when I splurged on a new tube of Holbein watercolor paint. It was a color I didn’t need, but I was curious to try it and thought it might be a great fit for a delicate project I was in the middle of. I was so excited!

As an impatient person trying not to support giant instant-delivery corporations, I went old-school and called my local art stores. Blick had 1 tube in stock and held it for me. I hopped the light rail, walked through pouring rain, arriving just in time. I stayed miraculously focused (I only bought 1 other thing – major kudos to me!!).

That initial thrill – so like a first date – was exhilarating. I carried it home in my backpack like a little treasure. After a busy day, I finally had the chance to squeeze it onto my palette. It looked so flat. So simple. So… new.

The color itself is beautiful - truly lovely. But like any friendship or relationship, the honeymoon phase ended abruptly. I realized I didn’t know this color. The easy relationship I’ve built up with my existing palette is familiar, comforting. This one new addition set the whole feel of everything off a bit. How would it blend? Would it play nice? It felt like a fancy dinner party where you put guests next to each other and hope they’ll hit it off.

In my beginner watercolor painting classes, I offer students a limited palette. It’s a great way to learn and really helps you appreciate just how many colors you can mix from just a few. It sets a precedent for building a close-knit relationship with your colors. They become like best friends. But like all good relationships, sometimes your feelings change. You grow, develop, want to expand. Or maybe those idiosyncratic quirks get to be just a bit much and you want to try something new.

Palettes are like people. A few close, reliable colors – like a few close friends – is really all you need to start. But there’s always room to grow. If you want to explore your palette in good company, I’d love to have you in one of my classes.