Homework Exercises PDF

Homework
Exercises

Constant practice, repetition, failure and success and application of the right information is the only
way to become good with color. The information in this course is meant to be applied through
constant repetition and practice. Color is like working out a muscle. It takes consistent work and effort
over time to “grow” the color muscles. The exercises below will help students to gain understanding
and experience with color and painting.

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Homework Exercise #1 -
Monochrome Paintings

Begin your practice by doing a series of monochrome paintings. First, follow along with the course
and paint with a warm color like Burnt Sienna. Once you are comfortable mixing a warm color,
transition to a cool color like Ultramarine Blue or a green. If you are a more advanced painter, then
add a secondary color to your palette that will emphasize the temperature shift. This is demonstrated
in the course with the use a warm color as a base and a cool color used for more dramatic
temperature shifts.

As for the subject matter, I recommend choosing subjects that interest you. Students are also
encouraged to paint subjects that are relatively easier to draw. The simpler the better. A simple object
allows the student to focus more time and energy on the color and painting and less on the
drawing. The subject matter below are suggestions. Portraits and figures are very hard to draw even
for experienced artists. If figures, portraits are outside of your comfort zone, then choose objects that
are simpler to draw. As long as they have good form and the lighting produces clear light and
shadows it should be a perfect subject to paint.

The Laws of Color Vol. 1 Homework Exercises |
https://gumroad.com/l/color1ultra

Instructor: Chris Legaspi | www.freshdesigner.com
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1A. Portrait/Self-Portrait
Level: Intermediate Advanced
Follow along with the course and paint a portrait with a warm color like Burnt Sienna. (Once you are
comfortable mixing a warm color, transition to a cool color Ultramarine Blue or a green. If you want
even more of a challenge or a change of subject, set up a mirror behind your easel and paint a
selfportrait from direct observation.

1B. Figure Painting from Life (or Reference)
Level: Intermediate Advanced
If you are like me and enjoy portraits and figures, then paint as many figures as you can in
monochrome. Spend as much time as needed to complete the painting. If painting from life at a local
workshop, then the time may be limited to 3 hours or less. Don’t let the limited time stop you. If time is
limited work small or crop the figure, and spend your time on good observation of the value shapes
and mixing temperature shifts on your palette.

1C. Simple Still-Lifes
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Set up a simple still life using single source, high contrast light that produces clear light and shadow
pattern (see image below). For example, paint an apple under a spotlight or your favorite coffee mug
in direct sunlight. The images below are great examples of 3 different light setups that are great for
painting and easy to duplicate.

For Photoshop users, an easy way to get spotlighting is to simply set up objects under your desk
light.

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Homework Exercise #2 -
Color Studies
Studying the color of great paintings, photography and films is a powerful exercise to learn color.
Because all the problems of composition, value, choosing the right colors and executing a finished
painting have already been solved, I can focus all of my energy on simply copying the shapes and
colors that I see. It’s especially powerful if these shapes and colors have been designed and chosen
by a master!

A color study is also like having a master artist be my teacher, mentor or guide. When I do these
studies, I try to imagine what the master painter or filmmaker was thinking as they were making their
color choices. Studying form paintings allows you to learn from great painters even if they
aren’t in the classroom with you . There are 2 basic ways to do color studies, the first are
thumbnail studies and the second are fully rendered copies.

Thumbnail Color Study
A thumbnail study is a quick and short study. They are often 3,4 or 5 inches in size and take as little
1020 minutes to do. The purpose here is to really focus on the big shapes, big masses of color. With
thumbnail studies, the drawing is simplified and the details are ignored . See image above for
example of thumbnail studies done in oil.

Fully Rendered Copies
A fully rendered copy is a much longer, more indepth study of great painting or film. When I do
longer studies I can be more careful about the drawing, and also take more time with the mixing and
color choices. When doing longer studies I really try to get in the head of the artist or filmmaker. I also
can spend time on details and rendering which will not only help me get better with color, but all
aspects of my painting. Spend as much as needed to complete the master copy. fully rendered copy
can take anywhere from 1 hour to 3 hours or more. The length of time is not that important here.
Spend as much time as time as needed and try to come as close as you can to the original.


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2A. Copy Master Paintings

1. Do a series of thumbnail studies. I recommend at least 1 a day for at least 30 days, but feel free to
to do more. The size should be around 3, 4 or 5 inches in size and spend about 1020 minutes on
each.

For Photoshop users, take a 8”x10”, 200 dpi canvas and divide it evenly into 8 sections. Fill the left
column with reference paintings to paint and then then use the right column for your studies. See
image below for an example.


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2. For longer studies, I recommend at least 1 master copy a week. Take as much as time as needed
and make as polished and detailed as possible.

This image above is a master copy after master colorist John Asaro. The copy is 8”x10”, oil on
canvas and I spent approximately 8 hours from start to finish.

Recommended Artists
Below is a brief list of Masters Painters and colorists that I recommend to study for homework and
practice. For more names of artists I recommend beginning your search on www.artrenewal.org .

Master painters: Digital Artists:
Edgar Payne Nathan Fowkes
John Sargent Craig Mullins
Anders Zorn Robh Ruppel
Ilya Repin
Claude Monet
Zhaoming Wu


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2B. Copy Films and Animation

1. For film thumbnail studies, I recommend the same as master painters, at least 1 a day for at least
30 days, at around 3, 4 or 5 inches in size. Spend about 1020 minutes on each.

2. For longer, rendered film studies do at least 1 a week. I recommend doing these after doing
several master painter copies. You may also alternate each week with master painter copies.

Recommended Films and Animation
Below is a brief list of live action and animated films that have great color and composition. For more
films, I recommend starting your search on www.evanerichards.com .

Live Action: Animation:
Hero Kung Fu Panda
Life of Pi Puss in Boots
Baraka Wreck It Ralph
Avatar
They Live
Pan’s Labyrinth
2046

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End of
Homework
Exercises

Thank you for purchasing this course.

If you’re on social media, please share your work with me. I would to see the results of your
homework exercises. Facebook users can share their work on my private Facebook group, Draw
With Chris . Instagram and twitter users, tag your paintings and exercises with #lawsofcolor.

Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/baautraining

Instagram: chrislegaspi_art

Twitter: legaspifineart

For a more intensive and interactive experience, I have
Color Mentorships available. Mentorship students will
get a detailed critique and personal feedback from me. I
will also assign you a followup homework personally
tailored for your art or career goals.

Mentorships are available for students worldwide. For
more information, visit:

https://gumroad.com/l/colormentor1

For more information on me or to see more of my work,
visit:

http://www.freshdesigner.


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What are some suggested subjects and techniques for monochrome paintings?

What are some recommended artists and films to study color from?

2A. Copy Master Paintings

2B. Copy Films and Animation

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