Basic Exercises - Light and Shade 2: Green Block

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In this colourful little exercise, I’ll show you how to use reflected light, shadow and subtle colour changes to turn a simple flat shape into something that feels beautifully thre e-dimensional. We’ll mix a gorgeous range of fresh greens from just a few primary colours, moving from bright lime through mid-tones and into deeper shadow colours. I’ll show you how small changes in the quantities you mix can create a surprising variety of greens, and why strong colours such as Phthalocyanine Blue need just a gentle touch. As we paint, we’ll look closely at reflected light, cast shadow and changing tone, using lifting and softening techniques to bring the block to life. I’ll also show you how to sharpen edges and tidy little areas once the paint has settled. This is a lovely exercise for developing your eye for light and colour while building confidence with controlled washes, mixing and lifting. Show more