Initially I used watercolor-like washes (the medium is acrylic), but unfortunately, after a not-too-bad start, I made a terrible mistake in my color washes. I was experimenting by using the big paper and that created problems for me, too (said she who lives in the land of 11x17 and smaller). However, a little cropping fixed that easily; you can see the extra paper used as a further cropping device in the last shot (I'm leaving it there to show the students). I experimented with adding a paper that was a grasslike texture and now think that was a mistake, but it's not coming off now. In the last stages I re-worked the flowers using a palette knife. I've never painted that way before and boy did I have fun! Eventually I turned the orientation of the painting and since the last photo have added some green down through the text to give the stems some heft. BTW, the bubble wrap texture visible in the lower flower center in the last shot is a reflection of the flash--it's not white in the painting, but visible at the right angles. What fun!
I'm happy with the colors and the contrast and like the vitality in the knife work. There are things I wouldn't do again, but overall I'm pleased and it will be a great piece to show my students in terms of texture and use of complementary colors. Enjoy seeing the process. (Post-editing note: I see that the photos are rather small, so please click on them to see them bigger. As I frequently post late at night I've run out of time to fix it now and will need to attend to it upon later return. Sorry about that.)
The text in the stem is:
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
-Psalm 3:3
2 comments:
You did a wonderful job and fittingly "named"..For me, you are clearly an inspiration...Beautiful work!!! hugs, Skye
I love your sunflowers, my favorite flowers to grow. Your work is beautiful! Jenna Louise
Post a Comment