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12/1/2024 1:44:54 PM

How to see Hidden Color

For those who have followed my art, it's no secret that I have a deep love for color. Many people often ask me if I actually see that much color in my subjects. The answer is that I can perceive colors leaning in that direction and then enhance them. It takes practice to train your eye to do this. By paying close attention and looking for reflective color in shadows and other elements when you're out and about, you'll gradually start to notice them.

If you're looking for a quicker way to see these colors, here's a helpful hint:

TIP:

Completely saturate your photo to the highest level in your phone. It will really enhance those "hidden" colors!

Of course, you don't want to keep it that saturated to paint from, but this will help "reveal" colors you might not have seen in the original photo.

Example: Original Photo

Example: Saturated Photo

 

You can see in the painting below, I took hints of the saturated colors and incorporated just a few of them:

If you aren't sure how to saturate a photo, here are some steps to use in your phone: (I have an apple iPhone, so it may be a little different on another phone).

Step 1: after opening photo, click on either "edit", or if you've updated your phone, instead you'll see this toggle icon

Step 2: click on "adjust"

 

Step 3: scroll to find the "saturation" icon

Step 4: move the bar to the end for full saturation.

 

Whether you're an artist or art lover,

I’m curious to hear if you noticed any changes in how you observe your surroundings going forward.

Do you found yourself being more aware of the little details? It’s fascinating to think about how our perceptions can shift over time.

And what about color? Are you starting to see more vibrant shades in your world? It’s amazing how a simple change in perspective can enhance the beauty we often overlook. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

If you're interested in diving deeper into the world of painting, I invite you to join me for my upcoming online painting membership called "Dancing Brushes".

The membership will provide you with a wealth of tips, inspiration, and instruction on painting. It's set to launch on December 28th, 2025 and I would love for you to be a part of it!

 

Learn More about Dancing Brushes

 

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Comments

2 Responses to How to see Hidden Color

This is such an eye-opening read. I actually tried boosting saturation on a photo of my cat like you said, and I was shocked at all the hidden purples and oranges that popped out in the shadows like wow, I never noticed those tones before.

This is such a brilliant tip! I just tried it on a few of my own photos and I'm amazed at the colors that were hiding in plain sight. It's like a superpower for artists. Thank you for sharing this technique. For those looking to add a little more color to their social life, you can also explore connections on https://wishmood.com/


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