Papery Poppies

I needed some red after all the yellow daffodils, so back to poppies!  When I started I intended to only paint a few poppies and leave the background white, but it evolved and turned into a small, square wildflower meadow with an out of focus background.  I'm really happy with how the poppies turned out, especially the focal poppy.  I think the secret of papery petals is lots of water and careful brushstrokes, keeping washes fluid and light.

©Ruth S Harris - Poppy Meadow - Watercolour, 7.25" x 7.5"

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.

 

Poppy Power

I am a control freak.... there, I said it!  I hate letting go, I like to know what is going to happen...... I don't even like surprise gifts!

I'm trying hard to let go a little, so with this painting I didn't sketch it out first.  I quite like what happened, it's loose without being too messy, and actually looks something like I was hoping it would.

Poppy Power

Watercolour on Fabriano Artistico rough

15" x 11"

Breaking out

I almost always paint quarter sheet paintings, not because I love working at that size, but because it's the most practical size for my own work area.  I've been feeling more and more frustrated and penned in, not able to enjoy the truly magical effects of watercolour as much as I would like.  I finally broke out, taking a half sheet and letting the paint do the work.... what fun!

Popping Poppies - 15 x 22 inches

Song of Summer - WIP

It's been a while, the garden has been demanding my attention, which means less time to paint, but the reward is plenty of exciting reference material for future watercolours!

I have found a bit of time though, and wonderful inspiration from a visit to an open garden 2 weeks ago.

I took photos of my progress, so this is a sort of WIP except it has already been finished!