Color Checker Tool for Artists

* Please see my revised, smaller and cheaper version 2 of the Color Checker Tool here: http://shpws.me/OV2f

I designed this based on an idea promoted by master realist artist Mark Carder (www.markcarder.com). You can watch a 6 minute video where he demonstrates the use of his colour checker here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuZ0t5FR9f0

I made this one with as little material as possible to cut down on cost. It has a flat bottom so that you can rest it on a table, or your plein air palette. If you wish to add some sort of fancy handle I have also included three holes in the bottom to help facilitate that. The ridged areas in the centre are simply to allow a better grip.

The colour checker is very simple to use, and is designed to allow the artist to make more accurate value and colour comparisons when painting from real life. Simply mix the paint to what you feel is the correct colour/value from the scene before you (whether indoors or outside). Then apply a swatch of that paint to the front part of the Checker. Look through the rear circle with the Checker at arm's length and your painted part just below the area in question. Now judge if your paint is too light, too dark, and if you need to make any corrections to the colour. If so, simply wipe the swatch off and start over.

SInce the Checker is made from a relatively porous material I would suggest first covering the front swatch area with a thick gloss acrylic paint to make wiping colour off a lot easier. It can be used with any kind of paint but as all acrylic artists know don't leave that paint on too long or it will dry in place.

The photo's show the Checker as grey so that you can see the model better but it will be made in a black or white nylon so as not to conflict with the scene or your paint (there is no grey available).