"Greys are what might be called 'diminished' colours that are less brilliant than pure colours. Greys, nevertheless, are an essential element in painting since there are in nature more greys than pure colours."
- J.Martin-Barbaz, The Holiday Painter, 1961
After extolling the virtues of the limited palette, I went and added four more colors --- two blues, a chrome oxide green, and sepia. The need to add these became apparent to me as I continued to work on a small scale, and the "next" version of a piece, wherein I develop those initial ideas discovered in the smaller study, weren't getting done. I'm short on time and space and so the little "studies" are becoming an end in themselves. For now.
Chrome oxide green has always been a favorite of mine. The sepia is an historically accurate addition and its transparency is helpful in mixtures. As for the addition of two blues, ultramarine and cerulean, when I already have prussian, I'll just say that the various grays they provide are important. By mixing only with sepia, for example, I have three different cool grays. The results are shown above.
