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, January 12, 2012

ORIENTAL PAINTING - SECRETS OF THE GEISHAS

Then it was on to the faces. I decided to make the left, main, geisha more real, and also play up the makeup, leaving the other two more plain-faced. So I added the makeup after painting the face, and tried not to be too heavy handed.

I’ve never had a painting that I worked on so long to bring together. Usually I simply take one of my photos, perhaps crop it, and go from there; it’s that simple.

Putting so much thought and effort into this painting, while a lot of work and quite time consuming, was great fun. I’ll have to come up with more ideas along this line in the future.

After much thought and work, here is the completed piece! This will never be a winner of any kind but I like it!


Secrets of the Geishas, fluid acrylic, 22x30, Arches 140 CP

11 comments:

Nancy Van Blaricom said...

I'm glad I was along to watch this one evolve. Its been amazing to watch. I love it. I love each and every detail... from the women to the writing to the colors. I disagree with you ... it is a winner!

RH Carpenter said...

Beautiful finish!! You could go even darker on the gold "framing" around them, but I know this is done - so maybe another - you did all the planning work so you must have a series in mind, yes? :)

Christiane Kingsley said...

What do you mean this will never be a winner of any kind? Allow me to disagree with you, Deb! I love it and would be so proud if it were one of my paintings.

Carrie Waller Watercolors said...

I love it Deb!! And I think it's great that this piece made you think about your process and expand ideas. That can be a really good thing:) I think this piece is gorgeous and dynamic!

Ann Buckner said...

I'm really intrigued by your painting and the thought you put into it.

debwardart said...

Yikes Ladies - I'm starting to think I need to issue membership cards in my fan club to each of you! Thanks for your support. Maybe I'll rethink it and enter a show with it; even though I don't think it's all that good, it was an interesting process which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Arti said...

Wow...this is a riot of colors!Different from your usual style, but beautiful,indeed.

debwardart said...

Thanks Arti, yes, definitely a little departure for me!

Watercolors by Susan Roper said...

OK Deb...Here I be! Trying to win this give-away. I truly did love this painting, from the carefully thought-out composition to the wonderful colors and oriental feel of everything!

Nick said...

Very stylish Deb, and definitely looks authentic to me. I love all that asian stuff! Is that some kind of gold around the outside? Do the characters mean anything special? Go huge next time, bet the farm!

debwardart said...

Hey Nick! I'm into the Asian theme also - not sure if you influenced me! That's some gold gesso on the outside and the characters actually do mean something to me! Thanks for taking a look and commenting.