Leaf Detail

This photo shows the steps I have taken in painting the leaves. I still have quite a bit of work on them.

Progress

You will notice that I have started more detail work on the leaf in the left foreground. I also had to do some light scrubbing to get the correct shape. I was paying close attention to the shapes of the petals and forgot to do the same with the leaf.

Plethora of Pink Petals

 

Hope!

I like to believe there is still hope for this painting! Each one I have worked on has reached this awkward stage. When I began working in watercolor I would have been tempted to throw this under the bed BUT I have learned that if I push forward one step at a time I usually end up with a finished piece that I am happy with...usually.

This shows the yellow washes on the leaves. I used New Gamboge in the foreground, Aureolin in the background.

Showing some of the detail added as underpainting. As I add washes these will blend in somewhat and be less noticeable.

Close up of leaf detail. The colors are not as intense as they appear in this photo.

First Washes

When starting on the first washes I work all over the painting, paying attention to maintain highlight areas,  making sure that I am working away from areas that may still be wet. I also use this as a time to check for accuracy in the drawing by comparing the petal that I will be working on with the original photo. If something needs correcting I make the correction BEFORE I put any paint in that area. 

You will notice that a few areas have more detail than just a first wash. These areas were begging me to pay a little more attention to them and being the sensitive, caring person that I am, I did.

The Chosen One

The process didn't take very long. After mixing and mixing and mixing some more I had begun to think that I didn't have the right colors to come up with a close enough match.
I tried to achieve the glow without using Opera but in the end I pulled out the trusty Winsor Newton Opera and mixed it with a small amount of Daniel Smiths' Quinacridone Rose and voila!

I am very happy with this combination and have already started laying in the first washes.

I will post those tomorrow.
Zelma

Competition

In my last entry I said that the "pair of pears" would probably be my next painting but things have changed. There is a call for entries to the Dogwood Arts Festival here in Knoxville so...I will be working on a full sheet painting  of a gorgeous, pink peony. The photo was taken by Diahn who is not only a fantastic artist but is also a great photographer AND she was nice enough to give me permission to paint from her photo. Thanks Diahn! 

I rarely add shading to my line drawings after they are on the watercolor paper but this one is a doozy! All the delicate curls and flips of the petals. Yes, they are a part of what drew me to the photo in the first place but they are already proving to be quite a challenge. So, I added some shading just to be able to distinguish one from the other. My next step will be to erase most of the graphite leaving only faint lines as my guide. After this I will be choosing my pinks and putting paint to paper. 

The deadline for the competition is February 20, 2009. Four weeks plus a week for framing, let's see if I can pull this one off!

Zelma

Friends

This is a value study for what will probably be my next painting. I am usually working on at least two at any time.

The photo for this sketch, along with the title, is on WetCanvas .

Southern Beauty

I began watercolor classes in June 2007. Most of my work previously had been in colored pencil or acrylic. This painting was made from a photo I took outside the office where I work.

Hello!

I am jumping in with both feet to the great big world of blog!

I have been encouraged by my friend Linda to start my own blog, so here I am!

My plan is to post art and or comments at least 3 times each week. I want to share my art and to offer encouragement with all who are interested. It wasn't long ago that I thought I couldn't paint in watercolor. Until I began watercolor classes my work consisted of portraits for family and friends and they were usually in colored pencil. I still enjoy pencil from time to time but I will have to admit that I have fallen in love with watercolor!

Feel free to leave comments.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Zelma