Monday, October 6, 2008

A weeks worth of painting....unveiled.

Watercolor painting class started up again in September. We follow the school calendar and meet once a week on Friday mornings. This year we will be learning more about color theory, use different methods of painting, use our individual subjects and apply techniques shown to us by our teacher. For me watercolor painting is therapeutic, an opportunity to use any creative bent I may have and just possibly finish a painting to hang on a wall in our house.

The sunflower was picked and photographed two weeks ago. It became the subject of my first assignment, which was to use a "pour on" technique as the background. I chose a wet on wet method and a color palette of Alizarin Crimson+French Ultramarine, Cadmium Yellow and Hookers green. Each color was mixed in a separate cup and a lot of water added. I poured on the purple first, then yellow and finished with the green. The mix came out very soft and easy to work with. My style of painting is very controlled...not always a good thing...but nevertheless...it's what I'm comfortable with for now. Layer upon layer of paint was laid into the picture over a weeks time.

Painting is becoming something I enjoy very much. I find that I am seeing things everyday that I'd like to use in my work and see the deliberate process of learning paying off!

10 comments:

ellen b. said...

how wonderful to have talent and an eye for painting. It's looking good Flower...

Tracy said...

Hi, Flower! So great to catch up with you here at last. :o) Your painting is wonderful! I love the purple background and how it compliments the yellow of the sunflower...And amazing how you've given the flower and almost "trailing" quality, how it floats in and out of the picture. A very nice feeling of harmony and pleasure and joy of nature. Well done! Look forward to your unveiling of another art work later. Your previous post with your sweet little ones was deligthful...Happy Days, my friend ((HUGS))

Beth said...

That painting is beautiful!!! I so want to take watercolor classes. I am hoping to be able to do just that when my life settles down a little more. You really have a eye for color!
xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxo

mary said...

Very pretty! I'm so glad you're getting to paint. Having a regular time set aside to do it is so important. I'm glad you shared the technique - interesting and I've never done that. Keep showing us what you're doing. It's lovely.

Willow said...

Wonderful painting! You are so very talented!

KathyB. said...

I like the way the background of your painting enhances the sunflower. Kind of ethereal....you mentioned your style of painting as being 'controlled', well your style is becoming...and it IS your style,

I have thought of art classes over the years, I used to draw and paint literally all the time. Instead of doing things I should have been doing. My schoolwork was always covered in little sketches....somewhere along the way I quit all that..

Paula said...

Wow! Just gorgeous. I think watercolors are perfect for painting flowers! Wonderful job!!

bunnytrails said...

You paint,too?????? Girl, you do it all! Seriously, your painting is so pretty. A long time ago, I took tole painting and loved it. I have also tried watercolors, but have a hard time not "working it to death" and getting the colors all muddy.Please keep showing us your work!

Eggs In My Pocket said...

How beautiful. You certainly have a great talent! Have a good weekend, blessings, Kathleen

Alexis said...

that is beautiful!!