{"id":852,"date":"2020-09-22T07:02:31","date_gmt":"2020-09-22T07:02:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbansketchingworld.com\/?p=852"},"modified":"2023-06-12T16:31:47","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T16:31:47","slug":"how-to-use-a-limited-palette","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbansketchingworld.com\/how-to-use-a-limited-palette\/","title":{"rendered":"How to use a limited palette for urban sketching"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Using a limited a palette (especially when it comes to urban sketching) is an excellent strategy to combat certain issues that may otherwise spring up and take time away that could otherwise be used for sketching or painting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putting a limited palette together can be super useful for people who feel they want more of a system to how the use and apply colour<\/strong>. Introducing restrictions like this can be beneficial to your overall sketch in multiple ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We shall go into these throughout the article as well as discuss how you select and put together a limited palette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post is ideal for you if you feel a bit lost adding colour to your sketches. I certainly went through the stage where I would do a good line sketch but when it came to adding colour, I always felt I lost it and ended up ruining my sketch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have a better knowledge of how to apply colour and a limited choice to work from this can really help to pull your sketch together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the issue?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Using a limited palette is good training and can help you avoid some common issues sketchers come across, especially if you are new to the world of colour, or more specifically watercolour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are concerned that your colours tend to end up looking a bit muddy, then using a limited palette can assist with this. Creating all hues and tones from a set of 3 colours, for example, can automatically make a sketch appear more cohesive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes it\u2019s easy to get overwhelmed by the choice of so many colours. You don\u2019t know which one to use or which colour to mix with another to make a third colour. However, using colours directly from the pan for an entire painting can end up looking, for lack of a better term, \u201camateur\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When using watercolour, speed is certainly a factor, especially if you want to achieve certain techniques such as wet in wet. Using a limited palette can help you make quicker decisions, right or wrong!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of using a limited palette <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many benefits to using a limited palette. You will find most urban sketchers carry a palette of 8-12 colours. Some colours will be on the palette for convenience, so they do not have to be mixed from scratch every time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speed is important when it comes to urban sketching so saving time on not having to mix the same colour each and every time, especially if you use it frequently, is far more efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The benefits I have experienced from working with a limited palette are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n