When I studied in Italy for a summer, one of the most important tools I came back with was the the concept of color temperature. Most people understand the basics of "warm" and "cool". You probably know this from selecting paint colors or decor for your house. In short, warm colors consist of reds, oranges, yellows, and earth tones. Cool colors are typically blues, purples, and some greens. Of course, almost any color can lean more towards warm or cool depending on how much yellow, red or blue there is in the tint. Color temperature is incredibly subtle in human flesh tones, but that's why I find it so exciting. In order for skin to look natural and translucent, there must be a proper balance of warm and cool. My fellow artists laugh when I tell them I would much rather paint faces than trees, but 
portraiture is the greatest joy and challenge for me. Skin tone is very important, and since everyone is different, I find it incredibly fascinating to paint.

Besides being imperative to correct skin tones, color temperature has the power to affect us in many other areas. It can draw us to the focal point of an image. For example, a still life may be full of blue objects, but your eye will be drawn immediately to the bright orange shape in the middle. Color temperature is especially powerful in landscape painting. A wintry scene might be flooded with blues and grays, leaving us feeling chilled. A summer scene with its hazy yellows and greens gives us the impression of warmth. What are your favorite colors, and how do they affect your mood? These are important things to consider when planning for a portrait - or any piece of artwork - to hang in your home.

In my next newsletter, I will walk you through the painting process through images of a work in progress. In the mean time, check out my updated website - there is now a page in the gallery for available works. I'm also gearing up for some art festivals this fall, so if you've been wanting to see my work in person, stop by my booth at one of these shows. I look forward to seeing you!
Thanks,
Anna Rose Bain
http://www.annasblankcanvas.com/

Upcoming Art Festivals
Here's your chance to see my work up close!
Stop by my booth for the following events:

September 5, 2009:
Farmersville Chautauqua 2009 Art Festival
September 26, 2009:
Arlington Front Street Festival
October 3, 2009:
Prosper Arts and Music Festival
October 16-18, 2009:
Frisco Arts Festival