This month, we’ve been exploring the theme of ‘Limited Palettes’ inside my Sketching Adventure Community on Patreon, and once again, I have found having a whole month to explore a single concept with a group to be super inspiring!

I had hoped that thinking about limited palettes would help me reduce the number of tools and colours I carry around each day. And it did do that to a certain extent. But this month’s main insight has been exploring new ways of reducing the hues (a concept I explain inside my Watercolour course).

The natural interpretation of the theme ‘limited palette’ is to choose a triad of watercolour paints and then mix a wide range of hues from these three colours. A number of the members of my community have been doing that, and I’ve been taking notes for new combos to try in the future.

But instead of triads, I have found it more interesting to limit the hues I include in my sketch and not do much (or any) mixing. This results in interesting colour combinations, and I like testing myself to experiment and come up with unexpected colour schemes.

I have been using both wet and dry media, and I also started using two markers (dark blue and a dark purplish brown from Sailor) for my darkest colour. I’ve really enjoyed giving my linework a definite hue.

I’ve also been using smaller sketchbooks in two different formats, which is a continuation of our Going to the Edge theme in March. Aside: I love how I keep using our monthly themes and how they have become a permanent part of my work, making a real lasting change!

I’ve had some major insights into how to interpret the hues of my scenes (without using totally unrealistic colour) by focusing on the dominant colour first or by adjusting the darks/shadow colours.

Here is a single image showing some of my local sketches this month. I’ve put them together like this to show how varied my colour combinations have been this month!

These sketches are all of everyday ‘boring’ scenes of local houses and streets and contain similar hues. So, using a variety of limited palettes has made them far more interesting! Every sketch has been a new adventure in colour this month.

More about my Sketching Adventure Community

Over the last few months my Sketching Adventure Community on Patreon has become a very important part of my sketching practice! My creative juices are really flowing at the moment, and I have so many ideas to explore!

I love having a place where we can share ongoing sketches and be inspired by each other. It’s very special to see how members are developing their work and getting ideas from each other on a daily basis. Thanks to everyone who is a part of our sketching adventure family! 

Each month, we have a theme that can be applied to any subject matter and in different styles to suit our personal preferences. I post weekly update videos sharing how I’ve used the theme, and starting in June, these will also include a weekly prompt. 

Towards the end of each month, we catch up in a monthly livestream. This is a chance to see all my work that month, ask questions, and watch a demo.

I’m hosting our May livestream this week, so if you’re a paid member of the community, you can join in. This will also be a chance to discuss my current trip prep and all my decisions about what art supplies to take on my upcoming trip. Please note that due to this travel, I’m only doing livestreams inside my community for the next few months. (SketchingNow live streams will resume in October – but more about that closer to the date!)

Find out more about my Sketching Adventure Community

Please let me know in the comment section below if you have any questions about limited palettes or my Patreon!