Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Cosmic WIP

Cosmic Poppies
15" x 11", watercolour on Fabriano Artistico extra white

The news that I was included in Robin Berry's new book (see my previous blog post) inspired me, and I found my work going in a new direction. Cosmic Poppies is the result, and I believe it's my best ever work.  I had the reference in my "to paint" file since June last year, these unusual oriental poppies are part of a huge plant in my garden and I always wonder at the strange colour combinations - both magenta and red in one bloom, another almost completely red, and some more of a purple shade.  I worked with the colours and chose an analogous palette, using ever one of the eight reds on my palette for impact.

I recorded my progress in a series of photos, shared below.







27 comments:

Studio at the Farm said...

Ruth, your painting is beautiful beyond words!!!! You really were seriously inspired. And I thank you so much for posting your step-by-step.
BRAVO!!!!!

debwardart said...

Gorgeous - you've captured the essence of watercolor, and I love the vibrancy of the reds (my favorite color!)

Stephie Butler said...

Absolutely stunning Ruth, and I agree, your best for sure...Just don't put the brushes down now, keep going.....

Cynthia Schelzig said...

This is absolutely stunning and congrats on getting into the book!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! this is just fabulous......

Dee Doyle said...

Spectacular! When I opened my blog page, from the column of "blogs I follow," popped this gorgeous burst of color. Well done, Ruth!

Blaga said...

Stunning! I love everything about it, starting with the background...

laura said...

Truly gorgeous!
I wish I could grow poppies--have tried several times, with no sucess.

Meera Rao said...

gorgeous painting! I like how you started with the background. Beautiful vibrant reds and whites!

Laura Leeder said...

Just stunning!

Arena Shawn said...

This is such a lovely painting -- the beautiful, free-flowing colors and the lively brushstrokes, the yummy wet-in-wet blending! Also thanks for sharing the step-by-step progress, I'm always curious about how other artists work...

Michelle Morris said...

With this I'm thinking spring and that I want some of those seeds!! Lovely painting, so alive and so fluid! flowers are my favorite subject.

Marja's Stamp Addiction en Marja's Creativity said...

Hi Ruth, your painting is so beautiful. Fantastic your work in progress and see the steps you made.
It's absolutely stunning art work. beautiful colors.
Lovely greet
Marja

renate said...

Amazing! Nice to see how you build it up.

Teresa Palomar Lois said...

wow Ruth! just... WOW

nigelfletcher said...

beautiful

Diana said...

WOW THIS is so gorgeous.. way to go Ruth love,Diana

Claudia said...

Hello Ruth,

my comliments.

that´s a very great art work!!!

Claudia

Rita Vaselli said...

Hello,Ruth.Very FULL of LIFE COSMIC
FLOWERS!I follow ,from now ,your work and your blog!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your process. What a lovely end result. You really know how to paint flowers - something I struggle with. Look forward to following your blog and learning.
Jean

Helen H Trachy said...

Thanks for sharing, this is fantastic!!!

Emily Lagore said...

Ruth!!

Thanks so much for finding me - it was such a delight to read your sweet comments - I appreciate you taking the time to say hello! I've missed you. The light in this floral is indeed Cosmic!! Fantastic Ruth - really really excellent work!!

Emily

Unknown said...

This is just breathtaking !

ondedacqua said...

beautifull!!!!!!

djr-aquarelle said...

outstanding beauty!

Watermarycolors said...

Wow, amazing job! congrat! :)

Laura said...

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing the step by step.