Understanding Colour: From the Munsell System to Colour Perception

Learn how the Munsell colour system helps artists understand hue, value, and chroma — and why our perception of colour is always relative. Discover simple tricks to see and mix colours more accurately when painting from life.

James Otto Allen

3 min read

New! Fine Art Greeting Cards Now Available

I’ve just released a range of unique greeting cards featuring my floral still lives and landscapes.

They’re printed on beautiful heavyweight glossy card, available as single cards or in packs of 10, perfect for gifts.

And don’t forget, Christmas is just around the corner!

You can find them now on my website in my bio.

#artcards #fineartcards #floralpainting #stilllifepainting #landscapepainting #artprints #artistsoninstagram #artforsale #greetingcards #floralart #britishartist #oilpainting #artcollectors

Back after a little break—and thinking about rooftops.

This one’s from a 2021 painting of Città Alta in Bergamo. I remember chasing that golden light across the tiles as the sun dropped behind the hills.

Oil on canvas, 40 x 50 cm.

#oilpainting #landscapepainting #bergamo #cittaalta #italianscenery #rooftopview #fineart #figurativeart #contemporarypainting #artistoninstagram #paintingofitaly #europeanscenery #sunlightandshadow #artcollector #oilpainter

Throwback to this oil portrait commission from 2012 — a rewarding challenge in harmonising the many greens and capturing the subtle folds of the kimono. A true lesson in patience and colour control. 🌿🎨

#oilpainting #portraitpainting #throwbackart #kimonoart #traditionalpainting #greenpalette #oilportrait #artcommission #artistsoninstagram #paintingdetails #figurativeart #classicalrealism #fineartpainting #portraitcommission

My small tribute to one of my favourite seascape painters finds a new home!

This is my A3-sized oil copy of J.M.W. Turner's 'Dutch Boats in a Gale' painted on canvas like the original, but scaled down and simplified due to size. I painted this in Italy during the 2019 lockdown. I did a lot of master copies during that time, which helped a lot in focusing my mind and not getting swept mentally away in those uncertain times.

Swipe to see the painting details - the first photo is courtesy of the lovely collector.

Even in miniature, I learnt so much from studying this picture for it's colour palette, composition and paint application techniques.

#originalartwork #artforsale #oilpaintingforsale #artcollector #artcollectors #affordableart #artcommission #artbuyers #interiorart #artdecor #collectart #buyartonline #fineartcollector #artlovers #timelessart #investmentart #artthatmovesyou

Throwback to a landscape sketch from 2014, painted after traveling to Habana, Cuba.
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I remember trying to use the natural weave and linen colour of the clear-primed canvas to capture the texture and feel of that cool, heavy stone under the blazing Habana sun.
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This was also one of my first real attempts at designing a composition rather than just copying a photo. I moved trees and clouds, simplified the stonework, and pushed the warm cream tones on the left.
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Looking back, it's a small piece but a big moment in how I started thinking differently about painting.

#pleinairpainting #landscapepainting #oilsketch #artistsoninstagram #habana #cubanlandscape #traditionalpainting #artjourney #fromlife #compositionstudy #linencanvas #travelpainting #throwbackart #artthrowback #artprocess #artgrowth

Master copy study of a Norman Rockwell portrait. Rockwell remains a constant source of inspiration for me because of his characterisation of his models, his colour sense and how he often breaks patches of a colour surface into slight variations of hue. In short, I love how he changes what he sees from his photo and life references.

#NormanRockwell #MasterCopy #PortraitStudy #TraditionalArt #OilPainting #FineArt #ArtPractice #OldMasters #FigurativeArt #Realism #ClassicalArt #ArtStudy #PortraitPainting #LearnFromTheMasters #DailyArt

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Understanding Colour: From the Munsell System to Colour Perception

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