Painters today have more pigments to choose from than any other artists in history. They can buy traditional, historical varieties that Rembrandt would recognize, such as siennas and ochres, or 20th-century innovations like phthalocyanines and quinacridones—pigments with an intensity that would have startled even the color-loving Impressionists. Despite this abundance, many artists and art educators endorse the use of a restricted “limited” palette as a way to develop coherent, harmonious, and personal paintings.
Monochromatic palettes
Limited palettes are great learning tools. Students are often taught to paint in monochrome, using only a dark brown or black pigment, plus white. This allows them to focus on accurate shapes, degrees of light and dark—called “values” or “tones”—and paint application, without the additional complexity of color. By mastering these austere palettes, students build a strong foundation for the later introduction of color.
All photos Courtesy of Ingrid Christensen.
A more contemporary monochromatic approach involves using black and white, plus another color. In this example, phthalocyanine blue is introduced to produce a work of tonal accuracy that transcends the academic flavor of a strict black-and-white exercise.
Palettes with one warm and one cool pigment
To add more versatility to their palettes, painters may choose to select one warm and one cool pigment, plus white. In this example, burnt sienna and ultramarine blue are mixed to create a full tonal range, as well as temperature variations from cool to warm. Color temperature is a useful tool for creating the illusion of depth on the two-dimensional canvas.
Warm colors appear to come forward in a painting, while cool colors are recessive. This effect is visible at the inner and outer parts of the bowl. Both areas are greyed because they contain all three colors of the palette, and they are exactly the same value. Yet mixing a larger amount of burnt sienna into the front of the bowl results in a warm color, while mixing more ultramarine into the inner bowl makes it cool.
Notice how the warmer mixture appears closer to the front of the picture plane, while the cooler color recedes into the middle ground. This effect, added to the use of value changes, can create works that convey both form and space.
The Zorn palette
Limited palettes aren’t just for beginner painters. Many professional artists limit the number of pigments that they work with. Perhaps the artist who is most well-known for doing this is Anders Zorn, a Swedish painter active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries who developed a color palette that bears his name. This self-portrait from 1896 was created with the four-color “Zorn palette,” which you can also see him holding in the painting.
Anders Zorn, Self-portrait withModel, 1896. Courtesy of Nationalmuseum.
Detail of Anders Zorn, Self-portrait withModel , 1896. Courtesy of Nationalmuseum.
Though scholars have debated the exact colors the artist used, the Zorn palette is often considered to be comprised of yellow ochre, vermilion, ivory black, and white. Some believe he used a cadmium red rather than vermilion; regardless, cadmium red light is a modern substitute for vermillion, which is toxic.
These four pigments are capable of making a full range of color, despite the fact that the palette contains no blue. Ivory black’s bluish undertone allows it to act as blue; it can be mixed with vermillion to create muted purples, and with yellow ochre to suggest green. The Zorn palette is also effective for creating rich dark colors and beautiful greys.
The Zorn palette results in subtle, tonal paintings, but it may not satisfy artists with a passion for color. Even Zorn himself didn’t use it exclusively.
Other limited palettes
Painters who want the potential for both bright color and greyed color can choose from many other limited palettes, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
For a broad range of color, a simple palette made of saturated red, blue, and yellow pigments, plus white, is key. Whenever pigments are combined, they lose some chroma, so starting with high-chroma colors ensures that your mixtures will be intense.
This color palette combines cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, and cadmium yellow light, plus white. As with the Zorn palette, it can make a version of every hue, but the saturation level is much higher.
Cadmium yellow light mixed with cadmium red light produces clean, high-chroma oranges; mixed with ultramarine, it results in saturated, slightly warm greens. The weakness of this palette is in the purples. It’s excellent for depicting something like these weathered pavers, but incapable of painting the high-chroma purple flowers.
Substituting cool alizarin permanent for the warm cadmium red light results in high-chroma purples that could do justice to the blooms.
However, alizarin would alter the orange scale. Mixing this cool red with cadmium yellow light creates cool terra-cottas and siennas, rather than true orange.
Every three-color primary palette will have some weaknesses in color rendering, and artists who want to be able to achieve pure purples, oranges, and greens will have to add colors to it. One way to address this weakness is by adding a single missing pigment, such as green or orange, or by choosing to use a six-color split primary palette instead.
The six-color palette contains warm and cool versions of each of the primaries—red, blue, and yellow. A sample palette may contain cadmium yellow and cadmium yellow light; ultramarine blue and phthalocyanine blue; and cadmium red light and alizarin permanent.
Charting the greens alone shows the broad range of hues—from warm olive to cool lime—that can be achieved with two yellows and two blues. No single green you purchase can achieve such variety.
A painter’s palette is, ultimately, an expression of how they see the world and the colors that they love. By exploring a variety of limited palettes from earthy to intense, painters can discover the combination of colors that best helps them convey their world view.
See the trends in luxury vinyl, hardwood, and faux wood, and stone flooring products debuting this year by: Julie Sheer By Julie Sheer – See more Decorating Trends and Ideas The new flooring on display at this month’s The International Surface Event trade show reflected the continuing dominance of luxury vinyl, porcelain and laminate wood-look……
Originally posted on Teagan’s Books: Saturday, February 19, 2022 Photo by Tim Price You’ve reached The Armadillo Files. Stand by for a wild and crazy ride. When mentioning my weird imagination, more than a few people have asked me if I was doing drugs, specifically the psychedelic kind. After this chapter you might ask…
Whether it’s climbing, hiking or skiing, more and more of us are buying into the benefits of outdoor living. To enjoy these new pastimes fully it helps to have the right outdoor clothing and gear. In Ireland we seem to be particularly bad at investing in good quality, outdoor clothing. I personally remember many a […] […]
Sea Women of Melanesia is teaching local women scuba diving and biology skills so they can monitor the health of coral reefs and create and restore marine protected areas that surround a group of island nations in the South Pacific. The Sea Women work in what’s known as the Coral Triangle, which covers some 5.7 […]
Decorating Your Space For Fame, Good Reputation, and Recognition
The area of your home that will assist you in activating your fame and good reputation which are the foundation for success is the south. There are several ways to activate the energy of fame in the south of your home. It may be done by hanging a bright light that shines upward in that area of the house. A bright light that lights the whole southern corner gives the sense of upward moving energy. If lighting is a problem for the southern corner of your house fire in that area in the form of candles or a fireplace that you use will work. If you can not use any of the above methods then try to find a picture or statue of a phoenix some substitutes for that proud bird are the peacock, a picture, sculpture, or even peacock feathers worked into a flower arrangement will work. The most auspicious colors for the southern corner are red, bright yellow, or white which may be reflected in the furnishing. The feathers of the peacock are used to symbolize attainment that is associated with being recognized. You may energize the south by taking the whole house into consideration or you may do this in your living room or your office… It is best to activate this energy in a room that is used for daytime activity. Why is being recognized important? If you own a business of any kind then you know that recognition means more customers. If you are a student or athlete etc..recognition will help you advance in your chosen field. Some examples of pieces that you can use in the southern corner of your home to activate your fame, good reputation, and recognition.
Solar trees in Super Tree Grove at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore. Coleen Rivas / Unsplash
Did you know that the shape of airplane wings were designed to mimic the sloped wing tips of eagles? That the ridges on whales’ fins that create an aerodynamic flow in water inspired the shape of the modern wind turbine? That termites drilling holes in their mounds to cool down in the desert summers influenced a method for designing more energy-efficient buildings?
Biomimicry has long been one of my favorite growing areas of science and sustainability — emulating models, systems or elements of nature to solve complex human problems. After all, mother nature has been around a lot longer than humans; she has a lot to teach us. So, as a specialist focused on solar energy, I’ve often wondered what nature can teach us about how to capture our power from the sun. Enter solar trees.
What Are Solar Trees?
A solar tree is a device resembling a tree in shape, but with photovoltaic (PV) panels in place of its crown. The “leaves” of the tree capture solar energy and convert it to electricity, with branches funneling that electricity down through a trunk and into a central battery within. In essence, they provide the same benefits as solar panels, but they use only a fraction of the surface area necessary for an array of solar panels.
Solar trees are not a new invention, but they’re enjoying a rising popularity. Most of our readers may recognize the most iconic solar trees in Singapore’s stunning Gardens By the Bay, as seen in productions like Crazy Rich Asians and The Bachelor.
As they exist today, more solar trees raise public awareness around sustainability than are used to generate residential or commercial power. What’s more, the trees are still perceived as “futuristic,” but it might be time we start shifting our mindset about these inventions by incorporating them into our vision of what sustainability looks like in practice. Here’s why:
Benefits of Solar Trees
At first glance, solar trees might seem impractical — more art than function when compared to the best solar panels. But solar trees offer a few surprising benefits over their ground-mounted counterparts, including:
Solar trees preserve land: Since solar trees are vertically integrated, they require significantly less land than solar farms. The same logic would apply to a high-rise being able to fit more residents than a one-story house. Plus, because of their greater heights, the panels may receive more sunlight than a ground-mounted or roof-mounted arrangement would.
They can provide habitat for rare flora and fauna: Solar trees like those in Singapore’s Gardens By the Bay are large enough to host tropical flowers, vines and plants on its trunk and branches. These valuable habitats provide homes for plants and animals, protecting biodiversity in urban areas.
Solar trees require little maintenance: Besides cleaning debris off the solar panels every now and then, solar trees are standalone electrical units requiring little to no maintenance.
The trees cool heat islands: By creating shade in urban environments, solar trees reduce the amount of thermal energy that is reflected off of urban surfaces like asphalt, concrete and brick. This can combat the most deadly effects of climate change within cities.
They increase awareness of clean energy: The striking structures are immediate attention-getters, conveying a message of creativity, resourcefulness, humility and the need to incorporate sustainability into everyday life. We see similar art installations at work across the world, such as the Terra pavilion in Dubai.
Solar Trees Vs. Solar Panels
We mentioned that solar trees serve essentially the same purpose as solar panels but require a much smaller footprint to do so. But are there any other significant differences outside the trees’ widespread adoption? Let’s dig in.
Efficiency
Solar panel efficiency is a measure of how much energy is produced relative to the amount of sunlight that strikes the panels. So, to compare a standard solar array and solar trees in terms of efficiency, we’d need to know the specs of the solar cells used within the tree.
However, when it comes to space efficiency, trees take the crown. This solar tree in West Bengal, India produces enough energy to power five homes in the U.S. Solar trees in Lynn Haven, Florida are capable of powering six to seven homes. Instead of using an entire roof to produce this electricity, the trees do so using only a few square feet of ground space.
Cost
Since solar trees are still rare in the U.S., the average installation cost is high. According to top solar tree company Spotlight Solar advertises total pricing to be $40,000 to $80,000. Based on current average solar costs, you could buy a 15-kW to 30-kW solar panel system (for context, the average home needs a system between 5 kW and 10 kW).
Of course, the complexity and size of the solar tree will influence the final price. Until solar trees reach the commercial mainstream, demand will limit their widespread availability.
Storage and Distribution
Solar trees are used to produce electricity that will be used onsite. Storing and distributing the energy generated by the trees (like solar farms and power plants do) would require larger solar batteries and complex systems of transmission.
Utility
While solar panels are used primarily on rooftops or mounted on the ground, solar trees offer a different type of utility. In addition to energy, they provide shade and whimsy while taking up minimal surface area. A creative mind could find endless uses for these trees: shade for city sidewalks, parking lots, playgrounds, backyards and more. This brings us to…
The Future of Solar Trees
The metallic, modern look of solar trees might turn off the average reader, but keep in mind that as the technology improves, investment flows and demand increases, they’ll become much more similar in appearance to real trees or other plants. This modern mimicry will allow us to blend the trees into our forests, yards, coastlines, parks and cities.
Apart from residential applications, here are a few of our favorite ideas for the uses of solar trees:
Shade along highways or agricultural areas
Artistic installations in public parks, outdoor malls and gardens
Energy sources for carports and parking lots
Solar trees may still be a few years from the mainstream, but relative to other solar panel alternatives like solar roads, they offer a lot more practical value. The efficiency and versatility of the trees make them ideal for cities and densely populated areas, making us think they will be commonplace sooner than you might expect.
Looking to “Plant” a Solar Tree?
The options are still somewhat limited, but there are a number of organizations that can install solar trees throughout the U.S. We’d recommend starting with these companies:
Smartflower
Smartflower offers stunning designs of solar devices in the shapes of trees and sunflowers, with solar petals tracking, opening and closing with the sun for optimal energy conversion. We’re talking about premiere trees here. Each tree has an output of 2.5 kW at peak power, which is about half the power production of a small home rooftop solar system.
Courtesy Smartflower
Spotlight Solar
North Carolina-based Spotlight Solar produces models of several different types of solar trees. With flexible configurations, accessory options, efficient panels and quick assembly, Spotlight Solar’s trees serve as great options for public parks, carports and walkways.
Courtesy Spotlight Solar
Beam Global
Founded in 2006, Beam Global (formerly Envision Solar) produces patented infrastructure products for the electrification of transportation. The San Diego-based company offers solar trees and solar carports as electric vehicle charging stations.
Courtesy Beam
Karsten Neumeister is a solar energy specialist with a background in writing and the humanities. Before joining EcoWatch, Karsten worked in the renewable energy sector of New Orleans, focusing on solar energy policy and technology. A lover of music and the outdoors, Karsten might be found rock climbing, canoeing or writing songs when away from the workplace
Magickal Properties of Airplane: I remember my first time sitting in an airplane when I was 10 years old. My first trip to USA. It was magick. That I could fly and go anywhere I want to. And ever since then 40 years later I have been flying and soaring as a lioness.
Its magickal properties are creativity, dreams and possibilities, freedom, endless pursuits, goals, visions, intuition, imagination, magick, owning one’s power, Stories, myths, tales, fables, broadens our awareness, knowledge, wisdom, capabilities, travel, soul journeys, shamanic journeys, discoveries of otherworld’s, luxury, awakens your inner child, fun, balance. It reminds me of dragons. Its magick teaches us let go of controlling that is not in your control rather learn to be in control of you. Your Inner world of thoughts, beliefs and change what you can, and you can soar as high as you desire that serves the greater purpose. Let your soul drive the winds of your life as they are the creators of your life. There are no limits to our soul only limits are what we put on ourselves. Plane rides are sometimes bumpy, sometimes smooth and sometimes fatal, its magick is about showing us how do we desire to travel? Do we choose a bumpy ride or smooth ride of being aware of oneself and being responsible of our actions so we can be the balance and go with the ebb and flow. No matter what happens we are in the knowing we will accomplish and reach our destination in gratitude. It also teaches us to accept ourselves as we are and what is.
So next time you sit in an airplane, or you think about airplane in your meditation ask for its assistance to show you the magick that you are. And always remember inanimate objects are sentient energy beings. Everything is energy. Alive and symbolic. Just waiting on us to hear the messages and guidance to better serve our purpose and to have a wonderful joyous ride on this planet. They teach us how to live and thrive on this plane of existence. Respect its presence, magick, direction and guidance they bring to us. Always give gratitude for safe journey home.
Ravenhawks’ Magazine Winter Holiday Sweepstakes is now beginning week 4. We are adding new blogs and new gifts. Below are the remaining Gifts that will be given away to the winners of the drawing for weeks 4, 5, & 6. There will be a couple of new shopping sites being added later this week. Please […]
This weeks’ energy reflection is on your own Beliefs. Its about what you believe about you, your life and the choices you make based on these believes is exactly what is going to occur in your life. You know as a psychic intuitive life coach magick reader I get people saying to me all the time that psychics will resolve my problems, just like the belief that gods and goddess are here to solve my issues that you created? And my higher mind would ask how is that working for you? What you create is still your issue to resolve not someone else’s issue. How is that thinking even possible? that does even make sense? So you are literally saying that you can do anything you want and someone else(gods and Goddess, psychics, life coaches, friends, parents, spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends someone anyone other than you) need to clean up your mess that you created? really? Learn about your believes. Look at them. There is nothing to feel bad about and no you are not a bad person. If you want your finances to get better look at what you believe about finances, if you want love relationship look at what you believe about love and relationships. You have the power to change it and to choose believes that belong to your own inner truth and walk your truth not someone else’s truth. By not walking your own truth you are walking and living someone else’s lies. And knowingly or unknowingly creating a life based on someone else’s lies, believes and perception. Its time to really look at who you truly are.
This holiday season be your true self rather than pretending who you are not. And I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family be safe and blessed be.
And I will speak with you all next week. Please do leave any comment, thoughts, questions and I will get back to you.
For psychic divination readings please contact me at nishante@nishantedivinelove.com
1. Learn the basics of composition It should be one of the first things you learn well enough so that it’s second nature. It will allow you to compose your photos in interesting ways in order to better convey the message or story you want to get across. Learn the rules and know when to […]
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