This is the time of year when fowers in the pots on my deck are at their peak, soon to begin their decline as hot August weather takes its toll. Every year I try to draw and paint the flowers, but give up, overwhelmed by the amount of detail.
I was excited to see the technique demonstrated last week by Virginia (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginarteau) where she first put down a loose watercolor wash and then went back and drew the flowers over the wash in ink. I decided to try her technique. The first painting (top) shows pots on my deck, planted with three different types of flowers. It wasn’t entirely successful as the foliage melded together into one huge mass. Next time I will put in more negative space and more color spots for the flowers. I also think it would have looked better if I had painted both pots the same terra cotta color. I welcome your thoughts and suggestions on how to improve these paintings.
Today I tried the same technique on a bouquet of flowers. It turned out much better. Thanks, Virginia for posting your paintings - it was very helpful.
(BTW these paintings were done on that Strathmore 140 lb. CP paper which was so badly disparaged over the weekend. I soak the paper for five minutes or so and then staple it wet onto a foam core board. No problems with buckling. But after reading the various opinions about paper, I’m definitely going to pick up some Fabriano when I’m in town and give it a try.)
Thanks for stopping by!
9 comments:
Sharon, your flowers are beautiful! They look like a professional did them! I, too, have such a hard time with flowers and plants and rarely attempt drawing them. Good job! Joyce
Oh, my goodness! I feel famous! And I think you did a lovely job here. Isn't it fun?
Sharon! I LOVE BOTH of these! The loose technique youare using works exceedingly well -- it suggests the foliage and the bits of detail you added gives the plants allure and mystery! WONDERFUL JOB !! Keep it up!
BTW, I like Archers -- both the 140 cp and the 300 cp .... takes a lot of my abuse!
I agree with your comments about the first one, so I don't think you need any advice - I think you've already figured out what would have made it more successful. This is also evidenced by how much more successful the second one is. So with your question out of the way I can now go on to say that I love this technique and I think you are doing terrific things with it. Can't wait to see more.
Again, these are lovely. You use the wash very well.
I like both of these. Jana had us work with this techinque when I took her painting class. I have been meaning to use it more in my regular art but haven't. I just love the look!
Wow, those are just gorgeous. I really like to do flowers, but I also get a bit overwhelmed. You did a fabulous job.
Sharon---I think these are great! (I like the first one, too) I can't wait to try that technique myself. Thanks for sharing the website where you got the inspiration.--Carol C.
These are so beautiful! And I love the blue of the shadow.
Post a Comment