the previous night, i downloaded a demo DVD by artist Michael Klein, and i learned many little tips from his demo. although Klein didn’t go into details, i latched on to every little bit of information he briefly shared. for example, i had been “hunting” around for this green for a long time on my own, but i could not figure out how to do it. my greens just did not have that “quietness” that i coveted in my landscape paintings.

Klein demonstrated how he mixed colors to make some of his “greens”, and he also demonstrated how he would start from mixing dark to light, because, according to other instructors as well, it is difficult to “darken” a lightened color, but easier to “lighten” a dark color. the latter Klein pointed out that he would not automatically reach for white to lighten the value of the mix, but instead he would use a color of lighter value to make the value he needs. i felt as though i have learn several musical chords, and now i am playing with them to see what else i can do with these beautiful notes.