Meeting a new color

I've been going on the theory that it's better to understand a color by working with it on its own first, THEN seeing how it interacts with others. I created this piece yesterday, using green, a color which I seldom use. I'm starting to get a feel for the possible values with this particular green, how dark and light it can get before it starts to suggest depth. When I feel like I'm getting the hang of it, I can expand its three-dimensionality with other colors.



Here's what I mean: I started with just an orange, as in this piece ...



Then felt comfortable enough to integrate it with variations:



Along with this step-by-step process comes an understanding of the emotional impact of the various colors, a non-verbal sensing that, once felt, is never forgotten.

Next, I'm going to try working with a different green (I have Golden's Green/Gold waiting in the wings).