This painting is surprising me, I did not think the color scheme would hold up, not my usual palette. The pigments that make up the reds, blues and greens are derived from the phtalocyanine chemical compound, called Phthalo by the paint makers. These are modern pigments, very intense in color and tint. Beginning painters abuse these pigments, seduced by the bright color they provide. I rarely use them but this painting might change that. I have added raw sienna and yellow ochre to tone down the phthalos. What next?, I'm thinking the tulip might lose some of the pink, leaves on trees?, do I need that swan?, we'll see.
