How to Paint Gradation
Paint colors that fade or darken by using gradation. Gradation is created by laying down a solid color and altering that color by applying something that reduces or increases its intensity, depending on the type of paint being used. The color should not change, but the value should. All the shades of color produced in the gradation should be part of the same monochromatic scheme. Gradation is important in painting since it allows artists to show lighter and darker areas on their subjects, which achieves a three-dimensional look.
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Things You'll Need
- Brush
- Acrylic, oil or watercolor paint
- Water
- Turpentine
- Painting surface
Instructions
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Brush a single line of color onto your painting surface. Lift your brush and dip it in white or black paint. Be careful not to add too much too quickly. Too much white or black will prevent you from getting a full range of value.
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Apply a second line of color to the painting surface, allowing at least half of the stroke to touch the first. This blends the colors, creating the first value change.
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Continue to add larger amounts of white or black to your value changes until you reach the lightest or darkest value possible. Acrylic and watercolor paints can also be thinned with water, while oil paints can also be diluted with turpentine. These thinners will also create a gradation in the paint.
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References
- Photo Credit Pixland/Pixland/Getty Images
