After I painted "Night Bloomer" a couple of posts back, a friend suggested I do a series of flowers. I've never done a series before although I've always thought doing so would be a good idea. It seems like it would be a wonderful opportunity to explore technique and possibilities within a specified subject matter.
The direct light on the petals of flowers does so many interesting things as does the reflected light. The different values between the bottom petals, the top petals and the shadows of the top petals on the bottom petals are all different. Just wonderful practice in a subject of your choosing.
After the initial lay-in and the next layers where more detail and texture is added, I stepped back to look at the painting and compare it to the photo. It's not that I'm wanting to have it look just like the photo as I want to add something of "Carol" (me) in there, too. But, it's the best way to check values, I know of. You can really compare this to that...and make corrections which I needed to do in some areas.
I'm looking forward to doing a few more flower paintings then possibly beginning a new series. Thanks for a great idea, Barbara!
This painting will be up for auction beginning Monday, September 10th at: http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Artists/carol-flatt-1045
this is a beautiful flower, Carol...You aced it! The color is gorgeous. I'm looking forward to your next flower in this series!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Hilda! I always enjoy working with red and green together.
DeleteThis one definitely has the WOW factor :) Beautiful - and I'm looking forward to your flower series.
ReplyDeleteHi Rhonda,
DeleteThank you for the nice words! I'm excited about starting this series. It opens your eyes to so many things.
The image of that single flower is so powerful isn't it? And red can be such a nuanced color too. The green leaves add a lot of pop also. Good job as always:)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Libby. The color red definitely has some quirks whether you paint it or photograph it. The value changes are often very subtle, but it's one of my favorite hues. It seems "perky!"
DeleteHi Carol - my Google Reader has not been showing these new pieces.I just checked and it indicated I am still listed.
ReplyDeleteLoving the flower series. The yellow center, leading into warm orange and then moving into the deeper reds, works beautifully.
Thanks, Julie. I had struggled with trying to make a deeper red color. A good friend remembered that Helen van Wyk used to mix Cad Red with Burnt Umber until she found the shade she needed. I had already finished this painting, but I'm sure going to remember it for next time.
DeleteBut for a cooler red if I mix Magenta or Alizarin to darken, it works too! (for me)
DeleteThanks, Julie. A great suggestion to keep in mind!
DeleteBeautiful Carol, your flowers are just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteKaren, thank you for writing! I appreciate your generous, kind words very much!
DeleteFabulous piece, love the setting of the flower.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jane. Nice to hear from you! Thank you so much for your positive comment. You paint the most lovely flowers. I'm always taken with their freshness and gorgeous color!!!
DeleteSo vibrant and with tons of energy!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to do, Shirley! A great chance to use the red paint!!
Delete