Receding A Background Another Way

 This entry was originally posted on Tuesday,  August 28, 2012 

A mixture of French Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Sienna can also be used to recede a background. It can also be used on another part of the painting that you don't want to emphasize or compete with the focal point.

 

For instance, on the painting below, I felt like the trees in the background and behind the bridge were competing with the bridge.

I ended up putting a pale wash of the French Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna to tone down the trees, even out the texture of the trees, and recede the background.

I also did this to the rock beneath the bridge.

Now that orange doesn't compete as much with the red.

 

Make sure your wash is pale (think weak tea). If it doesn't work the first time, it can always be done again.

Receding A Background

 This entry was originally posted on Monday,  August 27, 2012 

If your background appears too vibrant in color and you want to make it recede,

add a thin wash of a complimentary color.

For instance, in the above painting, the foliage behind Quinn was too much of a vibrant green.

It was competing with her and there wasn't any depth in the painting.

To make it recede, I added a pale wash of red to tone it down and push it back.

This brought Quinn forward more and made her pop.