Richard Murdock

From Wet Canvas:

“Cadmiums typically have relatively low-chroma tints in fact and this is a specific feature some users value them for. Despite their reputation in some circles for being too chromatic for flesh mixtures it’s interesting to note that one of the reasons for the resurgence of interest in Vermilion/Cinnabar among oil painters was because of their reputation for higher chroma tints! And yes, many of those users were looking to use them for portraiture or figure painting.

Also, there is perhaps too much of a focus on chroma of late; while it is important to be able to judge it accurately for realistic painting, colour has other dimensions and all three of them need to be looked at carefully. And if one wants to isolate one to give particular attention to it is value that is THE dimension to strive to see and reproduce with accuracy.”

Too much focus on chroma?

Response from a Rational Painting member:

“Matching color is an objective activity.    One can either match it or not. Wetcanvas’ controversy over using cadmiums is often irrational. At the 8th and 9th values, chromatic colors are essential for some effects in painting flesh. However, most pale models are not that ruddy and, only under some lighting situations do they get that light.    It is unlikely that average flesh painting will ever require cadmium or high chroma organic pigments to achieve an accurate appearance.   For artistic effects or to compensate for lighting and viewing distance, proportional rescaling of chroma might be necessary.

Again, one can use cadmiums if they are adjusted and neutralized for the accurate representation of flesh.   Whether there is too much discussion over chroma is a matter of opinion and debatable.   Chroma, value and hue are interrelated.   It seems that when painting human flesh, a subject we are are intimately familiar and likely genetically programmed to understand, chroma is critical.”

I’m working on a 48″ square Bouguereau head study now. I’ve got the flesh tones up to the 6th value, and am really enjoying the interplay of hues across the values. One of the areas that seemed wrong was the deep red shadow on her cheek. I knew I had matched the color correctly (98% correct) but it seemed to be too chromatic, until I added a higher chroma red onto her scarf. At that point everything snapped into its proper relationship. Not too much focus on chroma…just the right amount of focus on chroma.