The Warm and Cool of it

Artist Karen Caldwell sought to better understand warm and cool color theory by breaking the color wheel down to its basics, studying the color palettes of the masters, and mixing up her own color recipes.

“When I paint now, I see the color wheel in my mind’s eye and know which way I need to go to alter a color.”

By mastering the principles of color theory, as well as studying the physical properties of light, Caldwell is able to have better control over shading and values while maintaining the chroma.  All of this study has been put into practice with a series that embody her love for water and the human form. While visiting Grand Marais, MN with friends Caldwell photographed a few brave friends as they waded into Lake Superior. These photographs later because the basis for her series devoted to compositions that study light as well as warm and cool colors.

Image Credit: Suspicion, oil, 30”x30”, by Karen Caldwell