![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Oy5DD1CdG5541_7PrAK7L25AFGO27QGYJsyBs5S59gfJwFTAjkXw3uGIEuOvSctTgH4eW2BZe28IpjZ6GifPBlpnl1PVF3LBWNieXDZYmJL4ZvI0zrf1foolv2Z51Wp9ihn90PjWHvq-eD7k46RWbZ_exykrS3Nm0wevMg797rCDjvhpDHZWvIpY6A/w200-h198/Larrabee-%20portrait%20pink%20on%20green%20detail.jpg)
color study (detail)
Pastel on toned paper
artist Lisa Larrabee
I recently taught a class for the Art Verve Academy about adding a touch of color to your drawings. The idea was to make simple controlled changes to see how dramatic the affect was on the image as a whole. It was a lot of fun and and a huge learning experience.
As we delved into more experimental color combinations, I felt compelled to join in the fun and play with colors that I would not usually use together. I highly encourage anyone to give it a try. Choose 2-3 colors (plus the background) and build a drawing without any expectations for how it will turn out. You may surprise yourself!
I began by sketching the value shapes with a bright pink pastel pencil. It is impossible for me to fully capture the experience with this photo, but the use of approximate complimentary colors in a similar value played with my eyes like crazy. The pink felt like it was quite literally luminous and vibrated against the gray-green. The process felt a bit surreal as a result.