Gradation - the new color

I read a recent post from a graphic design site that said gradation is the new color.

I have always loved gradation in both value and color. So I started out with some color transitions.

Every other color is the tube color and the color mixtures are between.

These are the same colors in pastel with overlapping of color.

This is a gradation of blue pastel.

 I also added white to the light end and black to the dark end to increase the contrast.

This is another gouache study using cool colors.

This is a study using green and violet. You can use any two colors and get a progression of color variations between the two.

Let's do something more interesting now with a unit form.

Start with a shape as a template and place it on the gradation study. Trace with a pencil and repeat by moving it along the gradation study.

Here is an example from the top gouache study.

Try different materials.

 Some are easier to mix than others

 and you can get smoother transitions if you work at the mixing and layering.