If you want colors to pop and zing, should you work on white or black gesso? Join the forum discussion here... (or if you prefer, leave a comment below).
Gesso or not gesso, that is not the question.
For me, the problem is not connected with gesso, except if we paint only with glazings: so the white gesso or slightly colores seems indispensable . A color pops or zings when I follow the rule about, first, complementary colors, then, during the work, the use of dark colors, even pure black, next to vivid and saturated hues ( close to chiaroscuro effect, Rembrandt, El caravaggio, Derain and so on). Finally, an easier solution fot the acrylic users only: the use of acrylic fluo colors, but not iridescent ; Daler and Rowney “system 3″ fluo colors is perfect. Easy solution, yes, but why not? Everything is possible nowadays, isn’t it ! The most important thing is the result.
February 10, 2013 at 4:14 am
(2) Marion BE says:
I very rarely start with a dark ground. Perhaps it’s habit from working on white, but with glazing I do think it adds to the inner glow. And you’re so right about a touch of intense dark making the rest pop!
Comments
Gesso or not gesso, that is not the question.
For me, the problem is not connected with gesso, except if we paint only with glazings: so the white gesso or slightly colores seems indispensable . A color pops or zings when I follow the rule about, first, complementary colors, then, during the work, the use of dark colors, even pure black, next to vivid and saturated hues ( close to chiaroscuro effect, Rembrandt, El caravaggio, Derain and so on). Finally, an easier solution fot the acrylic users only: the use of acrylic fluo colors, but not iridescent ; Daler and Rowney “system 3″ fluo colors is perfect. Easy solution, yes, but why not? Everything is possible nowadays, isn’t it ! The most important thing is the result.
I very rarely start with a dark ground. Perhaps it’s habit from working on white, but with glazing I do think it adds to the inner glow. And you’re so right about a touch of intense dark making the rest pop!