A Color Palette I WISH I Tried Earlier as a Full-Time Artist

I Paint a portrait with gouache in my sketchbook with a color palette I try for the first time!

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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Intro
0:13 Chapter I. About Zorn
1:55 Chapter II. Supplies
2:40 Chapter III. Color Mixing
5:09 Chapter IV. Portrait Painting

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[ritawilbur]

I find the Zorn palette endlessly fascinating. In pencil form, this is called "trois crayon." It's white, sanguine, and black. Especially when used on toned paper, this has a similar effect and can produce beautiful results. Also if you use a black that leans more blue, you can get some very subtle blues and greens by mixing with white and yellow. As it is, the portrait's eye reads as blue because it's placed next to the red of the eye socket. So amazing!

[jennifersjunkmail]

Wow. It's always mind boggling to me as a non-artist how someone can start with coarse slashes of seemingly random colors and end up with something so beautiful, rich, and nuanced. Thanks for sharing!

[ikonographics]

This is actually the palette of Polygnotus that was used by the Ancient Greeks and also by Byzantine iconographers . All my icons are painted with this palette and it’s amazing with colours you can create. You haven’t even touched the surface of the greens and mauves you can make!

[woobear]

Painting has always frustrated me being a moderately colorblind person but this is the first time I felt I could revisit it using this limited palette approach. Thank you for posting this.

[tessiepinkman]

It's wonderful for me, as a Swede, to hear that a national treasure like Anders Zorn is being celebrated outside of Sweden too. I love his work. They have a very special "feel" to them. Your portrait came out absolutely beautiful! I'm in love!

[TheNorthKeep]

This video just about made my day! I live on Zorns Udde ("Cape of Zorn"), where he was based when he painted some of his masterpieces set in the Stockholm archipelago. Naturally, his paintings hold a special place in my heart. His palette and way of capturing light - water in particular - was simply magical..! Funny, how your artistry performed half a world away can increase my gratitude for calling this beautiful place home. The wonders of art!

[SmillyDonut]

I know about the Zorn palette and have used it once myself, as well as watched videos on it, but it was marvelous to see the grey 'turn' blue once you'd completed the colour chart. It really shows how colours play off of each other.

[bigfiflaw]

Never heard such valuable words, your every single word acts like a beautiful poem, your brush sings a mesmerizing melody on paper and convert your inner soul into your beautiful paintings, the way you have valued the master's precious pallet, i am sure he would be proud to found a disciple like you, you have made his pallet work so aesthetically in your work,
I know my words are not able to fully described, how elegantly you have presented this whole process, but i still tried,
Sending lots of smiles and laughter,
Wishing you a blessed day Our jess 🤗🎨

[basenkaua]

Wow, this is amazing! I wish I could understand how you (wonderful artists) decide to put lots of weird (really random looking) color blobs and a suddenly a real face is emerging from that and totally makes sense! Whaaat? How come? 😅

Oh, and zorn palette - wow, very inspiring. Thank you so much for your videos!!!❤

[Blick_Art]

We know an instructor who says if you're doing it right, a painting should look like you used more colors than you actually did. We don't know if we agree 100% but as we see here, a skilled artist can get a huge apparent range from just a few colors. The great thing about human perception is that the viewer's eye and mind will fill in the missing gaps- the presence of a color evokes its complement!

[winterillust]

i keep hearing about using limited color palettes but didn't hear of zorn palette before. knowing which colors to start with is so helpful. your portrait turned out really nicely!

[bridgetwilliams]

I have been an amateur artist since childhood, now 82 I still enjoy experimenting with different mediums, Recently I invested in 72 Derwent Ink Pencils and 12 ink blocks. It did not take me long to realize that although I enjoy using the medium the number of pencils was becoming a big drawback. You have helped me so much because now I realize I do not need to have them all near me (I paint from an armchair) all at the same time. Following the Zorn method of painting all I will require is white, black, and 3 colors. So much easier to handle! Thankyou!

[ChuckLeeMBM]

This came out absolutely STUNNING Jess!! One of my favorite paintings and videos from you for sure!!!

[sharonalicea]

My medium is colored pencil but just started with gouache. I’m definitely trying this! I think it’s perfect to get to know the medium. Oh, the possibilities!

[Djoarhet]

It's the combination of your talent, knowledge and work ethic that does it for me. Also I need to learn to let go, your brushstrokes feel very unapologetic. I love it.

[IamMaiLan]

well done! both: painting and video. thanks for sharing

[stephanie.kilgast]

The Zorn palette really shines for portraits!

[mariaantoniagarcia-davis]

WOW, Jess!
Me, everytime with your videos: "Can it get better?" . Next video: "Yes, it keeps getting better".
I'm not only impress with your drawings, but the energy, the joy and beauty you share. Thank you so much for feeding this space with so much love and inspiration! 🌹🌈🎨

[confidential]

I periodically search specifically for Zorn palette videos because it's so fascinating to watch. 👍👍 for your painting! Very awesome use of the palette!

[nanking]

Loved every moment of you teaching and thank you for sharing all that you do to help us to learn.