Mixing Raw Umber

I used to use pre-mixed raw umber when I painted watercolors during my schooling years. I probably used it up to the age of about 25 or 26. Some time back, I took a workshop where the instructor challenged me on why I used pre-mixed raw umber and I had no answer. It was easy to dip my brush into and it was already mixed. The instructor told me it was best if I stopped using pre-mixed and started mixing my own raw umber. After I started mixing my own, I saw what he meant. There are so many varieties of raw umber that I can make on my own versus sticking to the one particular mixture that was in the manufactured tube.

By mixing my own, I was forced to think about the different values and colors of raw umber that I could create. My mixture was much richer and my paintings became richer because I did not stick with that one particular, pre-mixed raw umber. If you have pre-mixed raw umber on your palette, try to remove it and mix it on your own. You can get to that same color from different angles. You will have a better variety of raw umbers you can mix. and it will expand your knowledge of color. 

Bonus exercise: A wonderful exercise, if you are struggling with color, is to take away all of your colors and squeeze out the three primary (yellow, red, dark blue, plus white) and force yourself to use just those three colors for a couple of months. It will really help you think more about mixing colors rather than using pre-mixed ones. Out of those three colors, you can mix raw umber too, as it is very mixable from your primaries. 

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