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Michelle
Make Your Colours Pop with This Simple Trick
I’ve been working on this abstract landscape in my studio and I wanted to share something with you that I do all the time in my paintings.
It’s about making your colours really sing.
It’s All About Placement
When I’m painting, I love adding little accents and pops of colour throughout the piece. But here’s the thing, it’s not just about the colour you choose, it’s about where you put it.
If I want a colour to really jump out and catch the eye, I surround it with a colour that’s not close to it on the colour wheel. So for example, when I place orange next to a blue grey, that orange absolutely pops. But if I put that same orange next to a red, it won’t stand out nearly as much because they’re neighbours on the colour wheel.
A Simple Question
Before I put down a bright colour, I pause for a moment and ask myself, do I want this to pop? Do I want it to jump out and grab attention? If the answer is yes, then I surround it with its opposite or a colour that’s far away from it on the colour wheel.
I do this all the time in my work. A little pop of red surrounded by cool blues and greens, some bright orange against those moody greys. It creates such beautiful visual interest and keeps the eye moving around the painting.
Give It a Try
This is one of those techniques that once you start using it, you’ll see opportunities for it everywhere in your work. And the best part? It’s so simple. No fancy equipment or complicated theory needed, just an awareness of how colours play together.
So next time you’re at your easel, whether that’s at your kitchen table or in your own studio space, try adding a few strategic pops of colour and see what happens. I think you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
I’d love to hear how you get on with this. Do you have your own methods for making colours sing? Drop me a comment and let me know.
The journey of learning about colour never ends, and that’s what makes it so exciting.
Happy painting,
8 thoughts on “Make Your Colours Pop with This Simple Trick”
Thanks Michelle, I love all the little tips you give us and they really make me think more about how to use my colours to get the effect I’m looking for.
Aww thanks Rita, so pleased you find these helpful ❤️
This is a great tip. I’ve never thought to ask myself where do I want an area to pop – I would just look for an area that had the opposite to the colour on my brush and dab away until I used up the paint!
Thanks for your comment Julia. It’s just something to think about, sometimes you may just do it intuitively anyway.
What a great tip, you make it seem so logically simple – I’ll give it a try – thank you, Elly
You’re very welcome Elly. Let me know how you get on.
Really helpful! Those “pops” are often one of the best parts of the painting! Thanks Michelle!
Thank you Dan. Yes they certainly are : )