How to "tone down" a painting?

Question

I've painted a scene featuring the Cornish landscape to remind me of home, but now it's up on my wall I've decided the background fields are too bright. Although I trained in art, my specialism wasn't painting and I'm not entirely sure how to lessen the impact. I was thinking about a very pale white wash over it so it looks a little misty. It won't be a problem to do as I used acrylics and I tend to just hang the whole canvas straight on the wall. Suggestions gratefully received!

Answer 1

The best way to tone down a background is to do it the way Mother Nature does - by adding light blue haze. As you gaze into the distance you'll notice faraway objects have a bluish tint, and that's caused by water particles (and dust) in the atmosphere.

The best way to replicate this would be by using a glaze made of blue (Cobalt or Cerulean would work best) with some Zinc White added. Zinc is Transparent and will tint colours without altering the chroma as much as Titanium White.

Mix a glaze with about one part paint and 10 parts Polymer Gloss Medium or Glazing Liquid. Don't use water instead of Medium - it will make the glaze cloudy and keep the paint from adhering to the painting. Add extra layers to the furthest distance if necessary.

This should work just fine!

Answer 2

Mix a white with a tad of blue and a drop of black so you end up with a very bright blueish grey.

Use an airbrush (you can use a cheap blowpipe http://www.beko-techniek.nl/Kleingereedschap/images/109120200.jpg )

Use slightly darker in the background and work in layers to the front. Let the mist 'rest' in the valley/low area's.

Something like this maybe:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/charliebrown8989/299462986/

You will not have to do a wash and it wil look like you painted it in the same style. I use this trick often to bring some shade or light to a part of a painting.

Answer 3

I paint with acrylics, and am wondering whether a tinted varnish might be the answer. It would change the light in the picture thus making it appear a different time of day that it was painted, but it would tone it down, and would make it appear older. It would be easier to do the whole, as start trying to pick out areas to tone down.
I suppose it is all down to taste, and what you feel....... artistic licence.

Answer 4

By applying reds into the foreground you will push the background further back. This is because red is a complimentary colour to green. It is also a warm colour and trains the eye to focus on the highlights you create. The greens will automatically fade into the distance as the near reds capture your vision in a natural, pleasing way. http://www.flickr.com/Signed in as RitchieRed.
Try the link.

Answer 5

You were close with the white "wash" idea. But to tone down a color you add its complement. reg/green, blue/orange, yellow/violet. So whatever the field color is use a very thin "wash" of its complementary color over it. Do a thin layer let it dry, and keep doing this until it looks right.

Answer 6

I'd use a stipple brush to apply a small amount of white then use a clean brush to dab on where you've applied the paint to give a misty effect.
Hope this is useful for you.

Answer 7

there is no quick fixes - washes - dark or light - will look exactly what they are. As its acrylics its easy - just darken down the bright areas - it is no good trying to live with a painting with which you are dissatisfied. Having re-do one's work is how we learn - experiment....

Answer 8

When you start to darken the background, use browns other than just black. The color black will dull the painting, but it will just kill the color. Black is a man-made color, and it might work for your piece. I think that I would stick with dark or reddish browns. I don't know, but I hope it turns out well.

Answer 9

The other answer is good but it also depends if you are doing abstract or realism. 'black' skin is a little easier (in my opinion) because its shades of dark brown, dark tan, and black. 'white' skin is a little harder because you need to either have a yellow or red undertone and use light tans, pinks, peaches, etc. Experiment on a piece of paper first.

Answer 10

I'd live with it for a little longer, maybe offer it up in a different place , or take a digital photo and fiddle around with contrast first to test your ideas . Good luck hope you don't mess it up!