How ironic that just last month, I sat down to write this newsletter right after settling in to watch a movie. That night’s selection? Conclave, a film about the election of a new Pope. And now, less than a month later, we find ourselves with a brand-new Pontiff. Timely coincidence, I suppose.

I’ll start by saying I’m not particularly religious—more spiritual than religious—so the idea of watching a Catholic-themed movie was initially intimidating. But Conclave turned out to be far less about doctrine and more of a visual feast.

At first, I couldn’t stop myself from verbally analyzing, and I mean verbally... ”OH MY LANTA" Look at the colour… wait, wait, pause it!… ”Maybe you could just shut up and watch the movie and analyze it later. every. But once I calmed down, I allowed myself to simply enjoy the film. That said, I did go back the next day to study the visuals all over again.

The colours throughout the film felt like a masterclass in colour theory. One concept that kept coming to mind was the **60/30/10 rule**, a simple yet powerful guideline that helps create visual balance and harmony. It’s an excellent way to make any painting— or any visual art—feel intentional rather than chaotic.

60/30/10

60% – Dominant colour: Sets the overall mood or tone.

30% – Secondary colour: Adds contrast and depth.

10% – Accent colour**: Provides highlights, vibrancy, and visual intrigue.

The dominant colour establishes mood, whether bright and joyful or dark and contemplative. The secondary colour supports and expands the space, much like a landscape receding into the distance. Variations within it help avoid flatness. And the accent colour? That’s the pop, the unexpected flash that draws the eye and can define a focal point or add spark to a work.

Examples of 60/30/10 in Film & Art.

60% cool blues, 30% reds, 10% bright yellow orange.

60% inert beige colours, 30% magenta purple, and 10% blue.

60% warm grey purples, 30% cool purple, 10% cardinal red.

60% reds, 30% cooler blue, 10% white.

Conclave. This concept is used extensively throughout Film & TV.

60% light blue

30% dark blue

10% warm greys in the land

60% light blue

30% dark blue

10% skin tones

This combo evokes the gritty, smog-laden air of the Industrial

Revolution.

Uma Thurman’s entrance? Pure Tarantino—loud, contrasting, and

controlled with intention.

Great insight— ***M*****A*****S*****H* had a very intentional and consistent

palette that supported it's themes.

The Colour of War: MASH*

For 11 years, the TV show Mash used a carefully curated colour palette designed to support its sombre wartime mood. The foundational tones—drab olive greens, muddy browns, and washed-out khakis—mirrored the military uniforms and camouflaged landscape. This visual monotony wasn’t accidental; It was a total storytelling device.

These muted, earthy tones created a subdued backdrop that matched the seriousness of the setting. But they also served a second purpose; they allowed for any sparks of colour to stand out. When something bright entered the frame—a red cross, a bright dress, or even fresh fruit—it carried emotional weight. Those rare pops became symbolic: of life, levity, intrusion, or even, in the case of Klinger, rebellion.

It’s a perfect example of using the 60/30/10 rule, not just for

beauty and harmony, but for a super cool storytelling effect.

Here is the general palette used for the show

60% Kahakis, 30% olive green and left to option, 10% of anything if you wanted to add zip to the scene.

Zippy ketchup, ketchup was a luxury for the 4077

Four score and thee gins ago...

Last Rites by Father Mulcahy.

Logos and branding

60% white / 30% blue / 10% gold

60% white, 30% red, 10% blue.

60% blue, 30% white, 10% yellow.

These colour proportions help companies maintain consistency and

emotional resonance with their brand.

Fine Art:

Michelle Torrez

60% orange-red, 30% blue, 10% light pink.

Jill Carver

60% blue, 30% grey-green, 10% orange.

60% pink purples, 30% whites, 10% blue.

Doug Swinton:

60% blue green, 30% grey purples, 10% red.

60% green, 30% blue, 10% red.

David Sharpe.

60% pink-turquoise, 30% dark purple, 10% orange.

Jeremy Mann:

60% light greens, 30% dark blues, 10% warms

60% dark blue-greens, 30% light yellows-oranges, 10% red

Charles Reid.

60% orange-greens, 30% purples, 10% turquoise

Colour is emotion. Colour is storytelling. And the 60/30/10 rule.

While simple, it can help unlock a visual rhythm that resonates, whether you’re making a film, designing a brand, or hanging a painting in your home. How will you design your colours for your next painting?

Your friend in art.

Doug.

Ps. Apparently, talking about design and colour during a movie is

frowned upon, I’ll try to keep to myself for the next film.