Help - My \'Purple Fu\' is weak

[jgemrich]

The title says it all. I really struggle to pull off purple as a color so I\'m soliciting suggestions and recipes that the group uses to create some good looking purples.

I\'ve tried denatured approach but it\'s dull and lifeless. I\'ve used saturated colors but on larger surfaces it can be overpowering.

My highlights tend to look chalky. So as a matter of choice I usually treat the color like a red headed step child.

Here is my most recent go at it.

http://jgemrich.smugmug.com/photos/361094637_pwvya-O.jpg

Thanks for the suggestions in advance.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Ok It might help if you could tell us;
A) What effect you are trying to achieve.
B) What colour Range/Manufacturer you have available.

 

[jgemrich]

VMC, VGC are my ranges but please don\'t limit yourself to just these in any dissertation.

As to effect? Not really sure. I\'d be given to try out a variety of recipes.

Primarily I\'m looking to apply the purple to cloth.

So I guess a less sharp and more subtle approach to the blends. When I try and go subtle I get too much dilution and the chalkyness. Mostly I\'m blending up Liche purple with Warlock and some ice yellow. Shading with Liche/black and turquoise mixed.

Does this help guide the discussion?

 

[Ritual]

Try using a flesh tone, mixed with the purple you\'re using, for highlighting. I use VMC Flat Flesh to highlight a bunch of colours (black, red, brown, leather, purple, etc.) and I think it gives a very nice effect.

 

[Shawn R. L.]

When you want a good saturated color, undercoat the area pure white first. Makes a HUGE difference.

 

[DaN]

Personally I don\'t think that orc looks bad at all

Yes, purple is an awkward colour to use effectively, but everyone has their Achille\'s heel.

Mine\'s probably red or yellow

Or any other colour

 

[airhead]

OK, one of my mentors (who\'s actually posted in this thread) told me:

You are painting from shadow to midtone to highlight like this:
|---|---|

Fine for tabletop, but for photos and to really look good you gotta paint like this:
|--------|----------|----------|---------|

Hope that helps you as much as it did me.

Here\'s my purple foo (Reaper Master Series)