Deb Ward, GWS, OWS, PWS, WSI - WATERCOLOR/WATER MEDIA - My passion is teaching adult “beginners”. Weekly classes in my home; workshops; classes for Cincinnati Recreation Commission. My work is nationally recognized and published - see “Featured” on my sidebar. I’m a Signature Member of Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana state Watercolor Societies, Cincinnati Art Club, past-President of Greater Cincinnati Watercolor Society. Contact info below under “Class Information”

Thursday, August 27, 2009

IXNAY ON THE UNFLOWERS-SAY

Here is a grouping of sunflowers. This painting started a bit differently than the previous single sunflower (posted on June 19 and 21).
After getting my drawing ready, I went ahead and transferred it to my paper and then began my pouring – rather than pouring and then transferring the drawing. Colors used were hansa yellow, quinacridone gold, hansa yellow deep, Indian yellow, cadmium orange, vermillion, organic vermillion, sap green undersea green, jadeite (some Daniel Smith, some DaVinci). My browns were various combinations of the oranges with the greens. Other than that, the process was the same – as you can see by the progression of photos below.
I am not happy with this one and will try again. It is just too dull – I totally lost all my vibrant colors. My husband liked it, though! So maybe he will like the next one I do, too!
Above - got too brown too quick and - below - way too dull!

6 comments:

Chris Beck said...

It's got good bones, as they say!! Could you spritz some brighter color in with an atomizer? Feel free to ignore this comment if you want!! ;-D

debwardart said...

Hmmm, hadn't thought of that. Right now I'm considering cutting it into at least one I'm happy with!

laura said...

I think it's wonderful--the drawing is really superb; I admire how you got all the petals (I usually get impatient or lazy and try to fudge it, with not-surprisingly shoddy results). The soft muted colors do not bother me--sunflower paintings are always so screamingly bright: this is a nice change!

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

How on earth could you knock this piece of work. I adore the composition and feeling of movement and life in each bloom. The process images were also works of art in their own right. How difficult to know when to stop. Love your approach. When I have finished two commissions I have to work on, I will definitely look up your posts again and have a go with this technique.

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

It looks good on my screen. And it looks like a bunch of fun to paint.

debwardart said...

Laura, Joan and Nancy - Glad you ladies like it ON THE SCREEN!!!
Joan, you will enjoy this technique, it's different! I'll look forward to seeing what you do with it - florals just lend themselves to it.