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Art Tip: Gradation
Gradation does not always come to mind when one is creating a painting. However, it is essential
when trying to create the illusion of the third dimension in a painting. It is used to change a two
dimensional shape into a three dimensional form. To create aerial perspective, gradation is used
to change the appearance of a flat plane to a plane that recedes into space.
When altering color or tone gradually, you are working with gradation. The following color samples are taken from some of my paintings.
In DUO AS ONE, the round forms of the
flowers were painted in a wet into wet multi
colored paint application. Each form was
painted separately from light to dark.
The vase in PHALAENOPSIS was also
painted in a wet into wet technique. The
color was applied in a descending order as
seen on the color wheel.
I started at the warm yellow and proceeded
through the different reds to the purple. By
mixing the colors on the paper, I was able
to show a variety of colors and values in a
gradual transition.
In BYGONE DAYS, the paper was moistened and a multi colored texture was spattered onto the paper. Again, I worked in a
descending order of warm yellow to violet.
The soft edged spatter eliminated the absolute flatness of the shape. These gradations create a smooth transition from one
area of the composition to another.
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copyright © Artist Barbara Simmons. All rights reserved.
ARTISTBARBARASIMMONS.COM
Gradation continued
In this abstract painting, I worked
with a pre-dominance of the red hue.
Paint was applied wet into wet and
also, in glazes. ENIGMA IN RED is
about the color red, but also, it is
about shapes and spatial depth using one dominant hue. The light red
comes forward; the dark red recedes.
In THE PAUZE THAT REFRESHES, the softly painted water moves
toward the dark, hard- edged rocks.
Within the rocks, there is a gradual
transition of color to give the rocks
their roundness.
The distant forest in EVENING BY
THE MARSH has soft value transitions of texture. The dark tree shape
on the right stops the horizontal
movement in the distant forest.
In OCTOBER, there are soft textured
shapes throughout the painting. Each
of these shapes displays a gradual
change in color and value. All of
these created forms exhibit a sense
of aerial perspective.
The varied color and value textures
have been united with a wash of rose
in INTO THE LIGHT. The value variation
gives a sense of movement and rhythm to
the foliage.
Gradation in color and texture shows constant change. By painting in a wet into wet technique within a specific
shape– DECEMBER 2001 – a gradual transition from warm to cool can
be achieved. Gradations can be both large and small shapes.
Gradation can be used as a connection between disparate parts of a
painting. Gradation can be used to show movement to a focal area.
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copyright © Artist Barbara Simmons. All rights reserved.