As a Mother's Day gift my son presented me with a gorgeous orchid plant similar to this one. I've never had an orchid plant before and must admit I was a bit intimidated by them. It's October now and the plant is still doing well. Surprise! Surprise! It's gone through the flower-dying stage and the old stem cutting-off stage, it has grown two new leaves, and it has also been re-potted! I'm kind of proud of myself actually.
I was worried about being able to paint the "faces" of the flowers with all the parts they have. I decided to simplify the centers quite a bit, and I think it worked. The Wallis paper had been dry-mounted to foamcore, and it was really a nice surface to work on. I liked the stiffness of the foamcore underneath it all.
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Their structure is interesting isn't it? Beautiful job as always and a great way of simplifying things.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Libby. I was pleased with the simplifying outcome. I just knew I'd never get all the "parts" in that the photo had. What you see is much more manageable.
DeleteThe color in this Orchid plant is gorgeous! I had one which lasted many years!!! The flowers died and returned again even more beautiful! You painted this so perfectly, Carol...the shading in each petal is SO good as well as that wonderful shadow! LOVE this one!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hilda. I appreciate your comment. I'm so glad to hear of your success with orchids, and I hope mine will have a successful run. I've read orchids are slow-growers, so I'm trying hard to be very, very patient.
DeleteBeautiful - simply beautiful. You captured the velvety texture of the petals and I love the arc flowing across the paper and think it was a brilliant idea making the back flowers in shadow.
ReplyDeleteHope the repotted one blooms again. I am encouraged reading Hilda saying she has one that does that. I am re-growing a couple myself. So far all leaves and no blooms.
That's exactly what mine is doing, Julie. It bloomed, then lost the blooms and gained a new leaf. It looks healthy, and I, too, am hoping for a new flowering one of these days. Thank you for writing!
DeleteYou worked this flower beautifully Carol, love the perfect rose color and the way you painted the shadow is genius !
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely comment, Jane, and I thank you. I admire the way you handle flowers and are successful in painting many different types. I always enjoy seeing your "bouquets!"
DeleteYour orchids are beautiful, Carol. My first impression was that it looked sort of like an antique oriental painting.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting you said that about the oriental look. I think the neutral background and open space perhaps does have an oriental flavor to it. I love that style done on screens and panels.
DeleteOrchids are such beautiful flowers and long lasting too. A wonderful subject to paint the colours are gorgeous, lovely painting, interesting shadows as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana. The shadows were painted much bolder to begin with. But, I felt they needed to be "tamed down," so softened them with the background color. I like them better now, and I like the texture that was created when they were softened.
DeleteThese Orchids are just lovely Carol. Beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Helen! I'm still smiling from enjoyment of your last two posts with Bruno, the dog! Fabulously painted!
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