Painting the Same Subject in 3 Different Color Schemes
- LaLa
- Jul 20
- 2 min read
Color has the power to completely transform the mood, focus, and emotion of your painting. One of the best exercises to deepen your understanding of color is to paint the same subject in multiple color schemes. Whether you're working in watercolor, gouache, or digital, this practice helps you discover how color choices affect storytelling, style, and viewer perception.
🎨 Why Try This Exercise?
Strengthens color theory skills
Helps you understand harmony, contrast, and temperature
Encourages creative problem-solving with limited palettes
Shows how color influences mood and focus
Ideal for portfolio pieces or experimentation
🧪 3 Color Schemes to Try
1. Warm Palette
Colors: Red, orange, yellow, burnt sienna
Mood: Cozy, energetic, passionate
Best for: Sunset scenes, fall landscapes, portraits with warmth
2. Cool Palette
Colors: Blue, green, purple, indigo
Mood: Calm, mysterious, distant
Best for: Night scenes, ocean views, winter subjects
3. Complementary Palette
Colors: Two opposites on the color wheel (e.g., blue & orange)
Mood: Dynamic, high contrast, visually striking
Best for: Still life, florals, dramatic lighting
🖌 How to Approach the Exercise
Choose a Simple Subject Flowers, teacups, buildings, or animals work great.
Sketch Once, Paint Three Times Use the same drawing or outline for consistency.
Limit Each Color Scheme Stick to 3–5 colors per version.
Observe and Reflect Compare how each color palette changes mood and focus.
🖼 Example Subjects
A single rose in warm, cool, and complementary colors
A bird perched on a branch using three unique palette styles
A cottage painted in sunrise, moonlight, and vibrant split-complementary light
🧠 Final Thoughts
Painting the same subject in different color schemes isn’t just fun—it’s deeply educational. You’ll sharpen your eye, better understand emotional storytelling with color, and find fresh creative directions for your art.
