What is a good alternative to using black paint for adding darker tones?
May 13, 2010 2:17 pm art techniques
If you’ve ever had any art lessons, you may have been told never to use black for adding darker tones. However, you may not have been told why or what to use instead. I would never recommend that you ban any color from your palette. If you want to use it, then use it. Black does tend to suck all the light in and create a stark effect. It is a very strong color, so use it where a strong effect or contrast is wanted.
However, for a more subtle option, there are alternatives to black that you can use instead. If you add a complementary color to another color, it will darken it and can be used for much more subtle changes in tone. (What is a complementary color? See my page color theory basics for an explanation.)
For example, if you add purple to yellow (its complementary color), it will darken the yellow. If you add green to red, this will also darken the color. It also softens the color, which is something black doesn’t tend to do. Go on try it, you will be surprised by the results. This works for most types of paint.
Where can I buy good quality paints?
Dick Blick Art Materials sell a vast range of most brands of paints in various sizes.
If you are thinking of buying an introductory set of watercolors (watercolours), I recommend Winsor & Newton as top quality paints. You can buy cheaper alternatives but the end result in terms of the flow of the paint, beauty of the colors and lightfast quality is far superior with a decent brand of paints.
If you are thinking of acrylic (water-based) paints, I recommend an Artist Acrylic Color Set, which will be of superior quality to the cheaper student brands.
For oil paints, I recommend Winsor & Newton again. They do an Art Set of 6 Colors.
If you order over a certain amount, shipping can be free within the US, conditions apply. Orders placed from outside the US will have a different shipping charge and may be subject to import duty. (Click on the shipping information link at the bottom of the page on Dick Blick Art Materials for details.)
