Springing into Yellow
I am sending you a bit of whimsy today as we spring into the return of yellow forsythia and daffodils, goldfinches wearing their summer suits, and—soon—the songs of warblers echoing in woods and fields. I painted this as a demo for my class Painting the Colors of Spring, thinking it would be fun for participants to try perching a bird on an atypical object. I hope you are enjoying spring unfolding wherever you may be.
Tips and Techniques– Yellow can be a tricky color to paint since its value range is so light and shadow colors can easily become too heavy. I painted this mainly with cadmium yellow medium, cobalt blue, and permanent rose. (Hansa yellow medium is a good choice for a warm yellow, too, but I was out). I chose that combination because neither the cobalt nor the rose tends to overwhelm the yellow. You can push mixtures toward bronze, green, gold, or brown, and the cobalt and rose together make a nice purple complement to the yellow.
Drawn In 
What a fun picture, love the bird on the paint tube, how appropriate! To be sure, yellow is a tough color indeed-thanks for the tips👍
Thanks much. Glad the tips seem helpful.
Very fun composition! I like the idea of focusing on a color theme. We had a goldfinch serenade us in our backyard recently on a sunny Sunday and the bright yellow feathers were stunning! Thanks for sharing!
It’s nice to see those pops of yellow out there to tide us over until more green appears.
I love your painting! I took this class last spring and learned so much.
Thanks Peggy. I’ve changed up the subjects this year so we’re trying new things, while still learning color basics. It was fun to incorporate the paint tubes.
After watching your egg painting demo, then seeing this, I’m thinking a page with eggs in nest, bird, feather illustrations would make a nice spread….then with the yellows as you’ve done on opposite side! Love your ideas for layouts, Jean.
Great idea Peri. I like doing pages like that where you focus on one species and paint out bird, nest, and eggs. Thanks for being in touch.
I’m ‘tickled yellow!’ Your charming warbler seems to be pointing towards the swatches, choosing his own unique yellow hue and body This full of whimsy in perfectly surprising ways. What a great lesson and beautiful presentation, Jean!
Thank so much, Barb!
Thank you!
just returned from a wildflower hike ……. We are popping yellows too! So exciting!
A charming capture, Jean. So good to be Spring at last.
Yes. We’ve turned the corner! I’m enjoying the pops of yellow outside.
I love this! Thank you for the tips on the colours. I’m downunder, so enjoying the lovely coolness of what passes for autumn in Queensland, Australia! We do get some golden mornings here at this time of the year though.
Whimsey is a good thing, a very good thing! :-) The cool tones do complement the yellows beautifully. I’ve found that bright yellows are difficult to process in photos of flowers – they have a tendency to look really flat, as if the color was pasted on. But challenges are good.