What if I used only 4 colors?

I’ve been thinking about honing my skills through simplifying them. Some of my favorite artists use lines and colors sparingly to get across powerful messages. I’d like to experiment today with drawing less of what I see, and more of what I feel, by limiting my color palette and time on each piece. I also used  smooth, nearly toothless cardstock to see if it required less blending that way.

I decided to create Valentine’s cards for my kids. I started with a 5×8 inch index card, folded in half. I chose an animal that reminded me of each kiddo, and then chose 4 colors to create that image. (I still used black and white for each one, not counting those as colors) I decided to show the animals hugging for a cute Valentine message. Each drawing took about 20 minutes from planning to completion.

For my youngest son; Subject: frogs hugging.
Colors: Grass Green, Spring Green, Jasmin, Fren Grey 50%

(c) 2014 Amanda Balough

For my middle son; Subject: Koalas hugging.
Colors: Warm Grey 70%, Beige Rose, Ginger Root, French Grey 50%

(c) 2014 Amanda Balough

For my oldest, my daughter; Subject: Bunnies hugging.
Colors: Dark Umber, Sienna Brown, Ginger Root, French Grey 50%

(c) 2014 Amanda Balough

I’ve also made a card for my husband, but I’m not posting it here yet so I don’t ruin his surprise!

I learned a lot today, and would like to try simplifying some drawing even further to make them even softer. I like how these looked with only the one color and would like to give it lighter, softer edges and call it done. I think it could be a nice style to add small illustrations or embellishments to my poems some day.

This is the same koala image in progress with only 1 color started.

(c) 2014 Amanda Balough