This week’s tips is all about color. I hope you’re not surprised as we’re exploring color right now and will be for the next coupe of weeks (lots to explore). So in a few posts now I’ve mentioned using nature to pick your color palette for you. Well, you might ask exactly where … here are some suggestions for you.
Blues – the sky during the day and leading up to about an hour before sunset. Then, after sunset, for the deeper shades of blue. Also the ocean, as long as it’s not shallow water. Shallower water tends to be more on the green side of the spectrum from the abundant plant life.
Reds – the above mentioned sunset and sunrise (if you’re up early enough). The sky can give quite an array of reds, pinks, violets, and oranges. You might want to use your digital camera to take some pictures so you have a memory of it. You’ll be surprised when you look at it later as you might find some colors you didn’t see or remember. This picture was taken after a 10 minute bike ride from my house.
Greens – is there a forest near you? Luckily, I live in a rain forest so I get to see some great hues all the time. If you don’t live near a forest, try visiting an Arboretum or Botanical Garden. Here is a picture of one in Germany … see what I mean?
And this picture of Californian Redwoods that came with my Mac!
Whites – Beiges – the beach! Everybody (well almost) loves to go to the beach. The sand and stones on the beach are usually a vast myriad of colors that we just overlook completely. You can actually find colors all over the spectrum on a beach as rocks will vary from a dark gray/black to almost snow white with all kinds of colors in between. Seashells washed up on the shore will be almost every color as well and the mixture always combines them in a brilliant array. Again, take a snapshot for later reference.
Yellows – Browns – the plains or large grass fields or bogs and marshes. You’d be amazed after looking at it more closely how many shades of yellow and brown are in a stalk of wheat. Or any tall grass growing wild in the plains. If you go near a bog or marsh, you’ll also get the greens, but still have the yellows and browns in prominence. They’re there just waiting for you to discover them.
Kaleidoscope – trees in the fall. Rocks on the beach. An iceberg. Sea life. The outdoors. Earth. I don’t think I have to elaborate any more on this one, right?
There are limitless places to find color ideas in nature – and I didn’t even use animals!! Yet! Keep your eyes open.
Hugzzz 😎