Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Antidote to winter

On these long, dull, cold winter days I look for something to cheer me up, and that usually means painting a bright flower. This time it's a sunflower, from one of my own reference images.

I started out by sketching the outline then masking a few highlights. Once the masking fluid was completely dry I quickly wet the paper using a large brush - doing it quickly leaves a few dry areas which will stay white when pigment is added.

Here it is after the first pass - Azo yellow and gamboge wet in wet.


Now the individual petals need form, more wet in wet but one at a time, using azo yellow, gamboge and quinacridone coral.


I'm excited about this one, but life always gets in the way so this is all I've managed to do today - very frustrating!

3 comments:

deborah kirby said...

Ya know kiddo, that's what I need to do -- pull out my paints (famous last words), but your yellow painting here has me in the mood to do that. We've had the worst winter I can remember -- beyond the coldest of cold -- but it's been sunny and bright -- just like your beautiful paintings.

debk

Unknown said...

Deb, I hope you do! It's too long since you last brightened my world with your beautiful work.

Ruth

xXx

laura said...

I love seeing a watercolor in progress--it's like insight into an artist's mind! Nickel Azo is an amazing color!! This is progressing beautifully--perfect antidote to gray winter days!