Color Restriction: An Ode to Spring Yellows

Nothing heralds the arrival of Spring to me quite like the color yellow! It comes like a daring shock after months of winter’s muted tones, as if Nature wants to grab our attention and give us a much needed shot of hope that warmer days are coming. Daffodils/Narcissus flowers, tulips, and little blossoming buds on trees paint the canvas of a spring that hasn’t popped complete, but holds promise. They are the early signals for the multitude of colors that are on their way — and we can look forward to a full spectrum of bright colors that will thrive in the weather to come.

Because of it’s brightness (like our yellow sun), we’ve adopted yellow into our society to convey a sense of urgency - utilizing it for warnings signs, alerts, and hazards. It draws our attention. In spite of it’s cheerful dominance, it’s also become associated with cowardice. Interestingly, this most likely has to do with how yellow is a color associated with illness ( like yellow jaundice) or fear (like peeing your pants from fright*). Again, it’s a sort of natural sign to pay attention, to be careful and cautious, which is part of what being a coward is all about. But the boldness of the color yellow itself, is hardly cowardly, merely the associations we attach to it.

Oh - and let’s not forget about bees, wasps, and other animals who use yellow as a strong statement to would-be predators; watch out!

Whatever the use, yellow definitely makes a striking statement. As I mentioned in February’s Ode to Winter Whites, I enjoy how much variety can still be enjoyed in the restriction of the color palette. And so, I present to you a few recent photos that celebrate and emphasize the color yellow while we anxiously await for Spring to bloom fully.

Of course, yellow awaits us in the Autumn... the changing leaves being used by nature to herald the arrival of Winter...but let's not dwell on that, and enjoy the glorious season we're in right now!

Color Restriction: An Ode to Winter Whites

I know from experience we can get overwhelmed by all the choices presented us in creating new artwork, we sometimes want to throw everything we've got into it; all the colors, all the techniques, all the possibilities. But too much of a good thing can muddy the overall look of a work. We think of the word "restriction" in a negative and limiting fashion, but sometimes it helps bring clarity and focus to the art.  Much can be done with a limited palette, particularly in regard to colors. When you impose limits, you define the perimeters of your work, which guides the process and allows you to get the most out of it.

Winter is one of those glorious seasons that strips away much of the color in the temperate climates, offering up an opportunity to enjoy the starkness and pave the way towards a burst of color and life come spring. Winter forces us into limits, especially when it blankets everything in a glorious blanket of white snow that to some people is an annoyance, but to others quite magical.

Many famous artists have made a name for themselves by painting stark white canvases, which at first glance are straightforward, but at further examination offer a fine amount of variety in the detail. So try limiting yourself in some manner, whether in color, in your building materials, or subject matter.

The following are pictures from recent travels back to a good old Iowa winter, which convey a very limited color scheme of winter whites:

In the meadow we can build a...

Back alley icicles

Geese along the Iowa River

An ice flow

Wing over Iowa landscape

A river winding

Smokestacks

Do you catch my drift?

Don't eat the yellow snow!