Monochrome | What it is and how to apply it to your art
Let’s talk MONOCHROMATIC color schemes!
Let me explain what a Monochromatic color scheme is and show you how to apply it to your artwork.
Let’s break down the word MONOCHROME:
MONOCHROME is an ancient Greek term for ONE COLOR, where MONO means ONE & CHROME OR CHROMA means COLOR.
See; easy!
A common misconception is that monochrome is a term used for paintings or drawings done in graphite, charcoal or grey scale only.
But since the literal meaning of the word is ONE COLOR, that sets us up for a whole rainbow of options for painting or drawing in a monochromatic color scheme.
Before diving into the tutorial, I’ll revise a bit of color theory first, which will be especially helpful if you’re going to use paint as a medium for your monochrome artwork:
When we mix two of the primary colors together, we get what’s called a HUE.
To lighten or TINT a HUE, you’ll add white to it.
To darken or SHADE it, you’ll add black.
Mixing the white and black to get grey, you can add that to your HUE to TONE down its VIBRANCY.
So painting and drawing in monochrome, basically means you use ONE color throughout the artwork, with various tints, shades and tones of that same color!
For this demonstration I’m using the Supracolor Soft water color pencils by Caran D’Ache. My favorite watercolor pencils! And while I have a choice of one color only, why not just use my favorite color!
First I made a swatch going from dark to light, easing the pressure with every swatch, and using a water brush pen to activate the pigment.
Then I drew a simple sketch of birds on wires and colored them in, going from dark to very light, to indicate that the birds in the foreground are closer to us. This is just a simple illustration to show how you could achieve atmospheric perspective with a monochromatic color scheme.
Now for something more detailed; I looked around and chose an ornamental succulent decoration in the studio for my next sketch. Just look around you, and find something to draw. It doesn’t need to be super detailed, just interesting enough to add depth, shade and high-lights.
After drawing it out on my sketchpad, I added a light layer of color, which will basically act as the lightest value in this monochromatic painting. Then I just continued layering darker shades, using my swatch card as a reference for the intensity of color.
If you decide to use paint (watercolor, acrylic, gouache, or even oil paint) you can actually premix various strengths of the color before you start painting, which will make it a bit easier and you’ll spend less time mixing and more time painting!
And there you have it, a drawing done with one color only! Who knew Monochrome could be so much fun!
I hope you find this video helpful in your daily art endeavors. :)
...follow your art...♥