My Winsor & Newton Ultimate Colour Palette 

Last week I had a lovely visit from an Italian art dealer who recently moved to Perth. Raffaele told me that the colours I use are very comforting. I enjoyed hearing that. I loved the idea that my choice of colours could create good feelings for people.

Sometimes people are curious about how many colours I use in my palette.

All of the wide variety of colour variations and shades I use on my palette are mixed from my preferred selection of base colours. Over a lifetime of painting and experimenting, I tend to use a handful of base colour – three yellows, two violets, one red, two greens, two blues and a brown.

Ken Rasmussen - Oil Painting The Colour of Time - Abstract Blues and GreensI buy my base colours from the Winsor and Newton range. In particular, I like to use the quick-drying Gryphon Alkyds because of a particular syrupy density that suits being put onto the roller and the palette knife.

Let me walk you through my preferred base colours.

Yellows

  • Warm yellow PY74
  • Lemon yellow PY3
  • Indian yellow PY139

Violets

  • Permanent Rose – Quinacridone violet, PV19
  • Dioxazine Violet PV23

Blues

  • French Ultramarine, which is warm
  • Phthalo Blue PB15  – my cool blue

Greens

  • Phthalo Green (Blue Shade) PG7 – generally described as cool or closer to the blues on the spectrum
  • Phthalo Green (Yellow Shade) PG36, a warm green, closer to yellow on the spectrum

Red

  • Warm Cadmium Red PR188

Now and then, I might bring in a warm brown.

Brown

  • Raw Sienna PY43

When it comes to colours, it took me quite a while to realise that the people who grind up the paints and select pigments and their relative hues and strengths are clever or know more about it than me. I now have a deep appreciation of the potential of the colours that they give me. I know that I can get the colours I want from the choices that these colourists have made. I’ve come to respect them.

If you mix them carefully, a few colours can generate an immense range of shades. You just need patience.

I’ve been looking through Jackson’s art supplies catalogue. This is the British Jackson’s, rather than our local one. The catalogue’s breakdown of pigments is very thorough.

It’s the paint manufacturers that provide Jackson’s with this information. Sometimes the paint manufacturers won’t do that because they have a proprietary pigment.  Or maybe they are a bit embarrassed to own up to the simple makeup of a particular colour. Still, for someone like me, these catalogues are interesting.

You see, these pigments are my world. Even as I walk on the beach, I can’t help thinking about how I’d achieve one tone or another.  This is because privately, it’s a big deal if you can mix colours. It’s a technical skill that is a thrill when you can do it.

The other thing people ask me is whether certain colours give me particular feelings. This is absolutely true. If I go to the beach on a cloudy day, it can be a bit depressing. Alternatively, certain colours come out of the tube and fill the room with a sense of calm.

It’s wonderful to watch studio visitors respond to my artwork. Sometimes I can see that the colours are making them feel certain emotions. This gives me a wonderful feeling that I can’t articulate. At that moment, I’d love to say, “The colours are working for you, aren’t they?” Instead, I try not to intrude. I stay quiet and feel maybe this painting is a success.

I wonder if there are moments in your life like that? You stay quiet.  But on the inside, you’re feeling so very pleased with how your efforts have turned out.