Color & Perception - Ben Hamburger

Color is fundamental to any kind of painting, but it is also one of the most complex, challenging, and personal aspects. During this class, we will develop our skills in perceiving, mixing, and using color with sensitivity. We will work on a series of mostly observational exercises that challenge us to engage with specific aspects of color. Later in the course, students can decide to either work on still life set-ups or more self-directed projects implementing the color concepts we are discussing in class. While this is not a traditional color theory class, these exercises will expand our personal color vocabulary, help us to observe subtle color relationships, and create mood and atmosphere through strategic use of color. This class is for intermediate and advanced painters only. Students should have some drawing, painting, and color theory experience. It is open to both acrylic and oil painters.

Suggested Materials

All materials are flexible and up to personal preferences. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Paint

Students are welcome to use either acrylic or oil paint. Please have a full palette of colors that you have on hand. Below is a suggested palette that I will generally use for demonstrations. Feel free to use the palette you have or experiment with other colors, but try to limit your palette to no more than 9 colors.

• Hansa Yellow 37 ml
• Yellow Ochre 37 ml
• Quinacridone Red 37 ml (Alizarin and Cadmium Red are additional options)
• Ultramarine Blue 37 ml
• Cerulean Blue Hue 37 ml (Gamblin brand; other cerulean colors are not as potent)
• Burnt Sienna 37 ml
• Raw Umber 37 ml
• Titanium White 150 ml

Paint Brushes

• An assortment of filberts, flats, and/or rounds: sizes 2, 4, 8, 12

Solvent / Medium (if using oil paint)

• Refined Linseed Oil – small bottle (8 oz) for painting medium
• Gamsol, Turpenoid, or other odorless oil painting solvent

Painting Surfaces

• Several small to medium sized canvases or panels, 8 x 10 in – 12 x 16 in (up to individual preference)
• Canvas pad, mixed media sketchbook, or scrap substrate for small studies
• Any surface you have and feel comfortable working on will be fine
• Canson Canva Paper Pads 9" x 12" work well
• Sketchbook for notes and sketching

Other Supplies

• 1 small plastic squeeze dropper bottle for medium
• Palette knife (flat design preferred, trowel shape is fine)

Palette options (any of the following, 11" x 14" or larger):

• Disposable paper palette pad
• Mirror
• Wooden palette
• Silicoil or other brush cleaning jar (a regular jar with lid will work, but something with a place to wipe brushes is preferable)
• Latex gloves
• Cotton rags, old t-shirts, or heavy-duty paper towels
• Drawing pencils (and any other drawing materials preferred)
• Masking tape
• Box to carry everything