Black Labrador Background Tips

Wendy sent me this picture of a Black Labrador she is painting and has asked for help with the background colour, she asked -“Just wondered if you could give me some hints or advice on what background colour to paint on this commission picture I have been given. I am torn between doing a bluish grey with ochre/tan highlights or a pale green with touches of ochre/tan highlights. What do you think of these suggestions or do you have a better idea using your professional eyes.”The pastel pencils I refer to here are from the Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencil Range. I would suggest that you follow your first thought that of a bluish grey with ochre highlights, except that I would use a base of 270 Warm Grey I and then Warm Grey IV 273 on top of this base colour. This would then result in an earth tone to which I would add green, 172 earth green would be my choice, then add just a little ochre into the mix this would pick out the eye colour tone.Members of Colin Bradley Art can get help and advice with there pictures like above. If you want to find out how to become a member, click here.