8x10 oil on canvas
While reading blogs and other internet info, I often come across what is called the "Zorn Palette". It consists of Ivory Black, Virmillion (or cad red or cad red lt), yellow ochre, and white. The artist Anders Zorn apparently used this palette. Differing opinions suggest he used this palette for landscape, others say he used it for figures. There is also the opinion out there that he rarely used this palette, and had several colors in his studio. Regardless, I want to try a few paintings using the palette he is known for.
I spent a lot of time learning and discovering values, and now I am delving into color. I want to find out how different palettes affect the look of our work.
I used a photo on my monitor as a reference to do a painting of my daughter. I used ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light. It was difficult not being able to paint her turquiose blue eyes and the matching blue shirt, but thats the beauty of this palette. Not overdoing the details or color.
It has been a very long time since I have done a portrait, but thought it was time.
I'm off to try a landscape using this palette. Give it a try!! 
3 comments:
Hi Catherine, I tried portrait work this week, and would have been tempted to use this palette had I known about it! Your colors give the painting a timeless quality!
I'd never heard of the Zorn palette but it seems to me that it's mostly about painting the values of a scene, with red and yellow thrown into the mix to add some pizzaz. Using this palette for studies or for strong moody landscapes is quite wonderful.
Wow those skin tones and values are excellent. Your daughter is very lively and full of life. A beautiful and charming portrait.
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