Jill Carver Workshop Day 2

Cottonwoods Near Rico
8" x 10" oil on canvas on board

I am in Rico, Colorado taking a 5 day plein air workshop from Jill Carver.  The first day of class we did value studies, which I may post at  a later date.  Today, we painted near town in a beautiful spot surrounded by Cottonwood trees.  Our palette today consisted only of Ultramarine Blue, Cad Red Light, Cad Yellow Light and White.  My personal palette is a bit more extensive than that so this was a great challenge. 

Here is Jill demonstrating in the Cottonwood grove.  Before heading outside we met in the old Courthouse to review color theory.  Some of her points:
--Look for color harmony throughout the painting.
--Be aware of your main motif and adjust the color palette to support it.
--Boost some colors and subdue others.
--A warm against a cool and a cool against a warm creates a "pop" in a painting.