The idea for a book combining colour theory and Greek mythology, which has always held my fascination, occurred to me just over two years ago, and I have now launched
Mythical Colouring. The majority of colouring books provide colour enthusiasts with patterns for essays into pure colour. However, even imagination requires a helping hand when matching and contrasting shades. The introductory notes and the guidelines that accompany every story serve as a springboard for the aspiring colourist.
Each story consists of two images, an A4-sized image and a smaller – though enlarged - detail from that image. Many enthusiasts may prefer to experiment on this detail before moving on to the full-sized picture. I have also provided blank squares at the outset of the book for pure colour experimentation.
Beginning with the story of a prehistoric deluge, the reader is taken through a montage of scenes from the lexicon of Greek mythology that include the pastoral worlds of Hyperion and Endymion, to the subterranean realm of Medea and the adventures of Hercules. In the accompanying guidelines, I explain how to attain the requisite atmosphere through the use of colour, and reminding the enthusiast that he or she is free to experiment.
Know the difference between shading and hatching
Hatching is useful when filling in small, concentrated areas of colour. Best done with a fine point, it is the process of drawing the pencil or crayon in short, rapid strokes. Drawn close together, the strokes will fill an area with colour. However, giveaway traces remain that suggest movement in a particular direction. Shading works best in large areas of paler colour and is usually done with a slightly blunt pencil point. Soft, blendable media give the best results.
When choosing colours for each image, decide if you want to create a harmony of cool colours – blue, pink, violet, green – or warm colours red, yellow, orange, brown.
You can create contrasts by placing complementary colours alongside one another, for example, blue against orange and pink or red against green, yellow against purple.
You can create naturalism by colouring in earthen tones – dark and pale browns, beiges, cream and the occasional dash or orange to pick out details. Or you may want to create fantasy by adding dashes of gold and silver to create brilliance.
One good way to explore colour contrasts is to look at bowls of fruit. Warm oranges, red apples and yellow bananas, lie alongside cool limes, green grapes and green apples. Look at how artists contrast warm flesh with cool marble, lay green and lemon leaves and multicoloured blossoms against blue skies. See a warm, earthen-tone boat bobbing about on a chilly blue, green and purple sea.
Buy a copy of Mythical Colouring
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