For most of my life as a painter, I chose colors the same way many artists do: I picked the ones that spoke to me. Then I started noticing a pattern. Again and again, I found myself reaching for the same three transparent pigments: Quinacridone Magenta, Nickel Azo Yellow, and Ultramarine Blue. Curious to see what they could really do, I began mixing them together in every possible combination.
What happened surprised me. From just three colors emerged vibrant violets, glowing oranges, earthy greens, rich browns, muted neutrals, and luminous passages that seemed to shine from within the painting itself.
In this video, I explore the surprising versatility of this limited palette and demonstrate how transparent pigments can create depth, complexity, and harmony that are often difficult to achieve with larger collections of paint.
You'll also see how I recreate one of my favorite tube colors, Quinacridone Burnt Orange, using nothing more than these three pigments. Along the way, I'll share my not-so-secret obsession with Fluorescent Pink and explain how I use it to create energy, vibration, and unexpected luminosity in my work.
Whether you're working with professional paints or student-grade materials, this simple palette may open new creative possibilities and help you see color in an entirely different way.Sometimes the greatest discoveries aren't new colors at all. They're hidden inside the colors you already own.
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