Use Color as a Tool
One way to simplify your work is to let color do it for you. Just because your subject may contain all the colors of the rainbow in a dozen different variations, doesn’t mean you have to paint it that way. Decide which colors dominate the scene, and eliminate most of the others. Let color give your work punch; let it create a mood, whether festive or serene. Be creative with color and choose those that expresses your mood. Just remember to keep it simple. Choose a monochromatic color scheme, with tints and shades (lights and darks) of a single color; try an analogous color, with colors that are next to one another on the color wheel; or use the complements by letting them vibrate against one another, or by muting them through mixing.