Edgar Payne's Palette

I got the information for his palette from a student who remembered this article in The Artist’s Magazine (May 2011) by Michael Chesley Johnson.  For that reason I’ve included with his information the links below which were included in the original information.

I happen to own a copy of Composition of Outdoor Painting by Edgar Payne and do not recall reading about his palette (although that’s where this information came from), nor could I find it just skimming through the book so I guess that means it’s time to read the book again.

In the meantime a couple of comments directly from Edgar Payne from Composition of Outdoor Painting regarding color:

“…the fewer colors, the more easily they are controlled. Those who like clarity in color generally keep away from siennas, umbers and the more drab shades.”

“A good set of colors for the palette is light cadmium yellow, orange, cadmium yellow, light and deep cadmium red, viridian, ultramarine blue and Indian red.”

Interestingly enough, the palette he recommends and his palette are not a match.  He goes on to state: “Almost every painter uses a different set of colors.  The student should try many palettes in order that he can find one suited to his particular mode and temperament.”

I would suggest on top of that statement, learn to mix color before adjusting your palette with too many choices.  Once you understand how paint mixes together, adding and subtracting color will make more sense and be easier to do.

High Sierra - Edgar Payne Canyon de Chelly - Edgar PayneBrittany Fishing Boats

For a fun exercise, take out your color wheel and see if you can figure out the color schemes for these Edgar Payne paintings.  Have fun!

 

 

 

Historic Plein Air Painting Palettes

By Michael Chesley Johnson

We’re fortunate to have a record of what historic painters have used on their outdoor palettes. Below are the plein air palettes of Edgar Payne, Homer Winslow and Emile Gruppé.

Edgar Payne (from Composition of Outdoor Painting by Edgar Payne)
• Hooker’s Green
• Cadmium Yellow Light
• Cadmium Red Light
• Van Dyke Brown
• Alizarin Crimson
• Indian Red (Red Ochre)
• Indian Yellow
• Ultramarine Blue
• Payne’s Gray
Note: Although white was not listed by Edgar Payne, he probably included it on his palette. —mcj

Winslow Homer (from Winslow Homer: A Portrait by Jean Gould)
• Yellow Ochre
• Red Ochre
• Permanent Blue (modern replacement: Ultramarine Blue)
• Raw Sienna
Note: Although white was not listed by Jean Gould, Winslow Homer probably included it on his palette. —mcj

Emile Gruppé (from Gruppé on Painting: Direct Techniques in Oil by Emile Gruppé)
• Cadmium Lemon Yellow
• Cadmium Yellow Deep
• Cadmium Orange
• Cadmium Red Deep
• Ultramarine Blue
• Phthalo Blue
• Rose Madder Deep
• Zinc White

If you’re interested in other palette possibilities, both plein air and studio, check out the Gamblin website section “Exploring Color Palettes.”
Also, check out the article “Pick a Plein Air Palette” by Michael Chesley Johnson in the May 2011 issue of The Artist’s Magazine.
Click here to order a print version of the May 2011 issue of The Artist’s Magazine.
Click here to order a digital download of the May 2011 issue of The Artist’s Magazine



Comments

[Stephanie Benedict]

Patsy,
Thanks for this post! I saw the Payne show at the Crocker recently, and wondered what his palette was. I was disappointed the show didn't have that tidbit (thought didn't they have his paintbox?). I've been using a palette I learned from Kathleen Dunphy--I don't know how to link to her site, sorry--that's cadmium lemon, Rembrandt permanent red, ultramarine blue, naples yellow medium, Rembrandt cold gray (though I vary that one), and white. Sometimes I supplement it with a warm yellow or cool red.

[Patsy Taylor]

Hi Stephanie,

I'm so sorry my computer went down and I was unable to respond to your comment sooner. There are a multitude of different palettes out there. When I teach I basically suggest a palette of the three primaries in both a cool and warm version plus white. That said, everyone has their own favorite palette and it's good to develop yours. Thank you for sharing Kathleen's palette. She's a beautiful painter and I'm certain that her palette choices are a great place to start while you're developing your own.