Cactus

Cactus

9 1/4" x 13 1/4"

Watercolor & Gouache

I'm calling this one finished and signed it this morning.  The photo is showing a bit more saturated as my camera really picks up the colors and emphasizes.  The photo was taken under normal room lamp light.

The photo reference was by KJSeiloff from the Wet Canvas Reference Image Library and appreciate its use. 

Cactus, More Progress

Getting closer to the finish line.  There is still some detail work to do such as blemishes on some of the cactus and the round nubs need to be defined in different areas.  I'm also looking at the flowers and think the lower right flower especially needs more values.  

Thanks everyone for all of your comments throughout this work in progress. 

Cactus, Sunday Progress

I've been painting off and on since 1:00 a.m. while listening to the weather channel.  My heart and prayers go out to all those in the South and Northeast affected by the hurricane. 

Still lots of modeling to be done and no doubt there will be changes of shapes, colors and hopefully, values. Below is a grayscale which gives one a idea of light, medium and darker values. 

Cactus, Today's Progress

Today's progress; not as much as I would have liked but we all know how life has a way of intruding.  Still I am pleased with the progress made thus far.  I'm working the shapes of the cactus as I go along.  I've also noticed that the brighter colors are mostly on the right as one looks at the painting, so will have to create some action in the lower left area.  Thanks for looking and for your comments.  

Cactus, Update

 Progress as of this evening.  I have lost some of the drawing so I am taking it slow, painting shapes.  Often I have to lift and repaint.  Other paints added to the palette are Buff Titanium, Sepia, Quin Coral and Cobalt Turquoise.   Below is a closer view of the area worked on tonight. 

Cactus, The First Stage

This is the beginning stage of the cactus painting, using Viridian, New Gamboge, Azo Yellow, Quin. Rose, Cobalt Blue, Quin. Violet, Undersea Green.  The painting is on a quarter sheet Fabriano Aristico Soft Press paper.  Misket was applied in many different areas and allowed to completely dry before adding paint. 

Cactus Sketch

The first photo shows the pencil sketch with ink drawn over the pencil lines.  The second photo is the transferred sketch to watercolor paper.  The reference photo used is from the Wet Canvas Reference Image Library (RIL) by KJSieloff, since I don't have cactus growing in my back yard.  :)

Several artists from Painting Friends are meeting in Florida for a week of painting.  They named the group Splash! and have made up t-shirts with a Splash! logo.  There will be demos, walks on the beach, good food, lots of laughter and even more painting.  Sadly, I wasn't able to attend but the Splash group will be videoing some of the demos and the other activities. 

At Splash, this morning Mollie Jones will be demonstrating cactus; Tuesday morning, Mollie will demonstrate crystal and strawberries and, on Wednesday, Bob Hague will demonstrate portrait painting.  Doesn't that sound like fun, fun, fun. 

YOP 5, Seascape

Seascape

10" x 14"

Mixed Media

Here is my version of the fifth year of painting, YOP, using watercolor and gesso.   The reference photo used is by Ralph F. Kresge of NOAA, under public domain. 

The gesso was used for the white of the frothing wave and some of the lights in the foreground water.  I lost it on the figures and they still could use more work, so I resorted to using gesso mixed with watercolor fo paint them too. 

A Teaser

This is a teeny, tiny portion of the painting I'm working on for the YOP project.  We post our finished paintings anytime after the 20th of each month. 

There were some comments about the sharp line at the top of the "Mums" painting so I reworked some areas and signed the painting.

Mums

Mums

 Mums

12" x 18"

Watercolor

I think I am calling this finished.  It is slightly overworked in the area on the viewer's left and bottom foreground.  Still, I like most of it but as always there are areas that could be improved.  Thanks all of you for your comments and for staying tuned to the work in progress.. 

Mums Progress

This photo shows this morning's progress.  Have to rework the top flower in the background as well as clean up the area on the viewer's left.  There are other areas as well.  I am trying my best not to become to detailed on the petals on the viewer's left.   I do need to indicate more separation though between the upper left background flower and the main flower. 

Thanks all of you for your comments.  I'm tickled you are enjoying the works in progress. 

On another note, our area had rain last night with more expected over the next few days.  I'm hoping that areas south and west of us soon have rain.  It is desperately needed. 

My heart goes out to those living amongst all the riots in London.  Such a dangerous time.

Mums, In Progress

I'm showing you this photo of the painting as it stands this morning because I believe it is important that one shares the goofs/mistakes and the steps to correcting the errors.  The area I am referring to is the small flower/leaves in the lower right corner (viewer's right).  That area is too light, too busy which attracts too much attention.  It also looks overworked.  Of course the challenge now is to correct that area and, to just add a touch of color to form the petals that are in the light. 

Are you getting tired of all these works in progress?  Feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions about this or any of the paintings or the steps I share. 

Nora, wanted to know how I am getting the soft pink color.  The pinks and reds I am using are Rhodenite Genuine, Quin. Rose, and Deep Scarlett.  To those colors, in the shadow areas, I am adding a small touch of Quin. Burnt Orange.  Some of the pinks (without the Quin. Burnt Orange) may have a touch of French Ultramarine Blue or a touch of green added. 

Mums, Not Peonies, In Progress

As you can see, the name of the flower has changed.  For some reason I had peonies in my head when these are actually mums.  Can you tell I'm not knowledgeable about flowers although I love being amongst them. 

The photo above is showing todays progress.  I took the photo outside and still the background is showing quite dark even though there is a variety of values, shapes and colors. 

Jody's Mom, Final

I'm calling this painted finished after working on it this morning. The photo was taken in natural light and I still had to desaturate the photo a little. 

More paint was added to the flower bushes, with darks added to the shrubs and window areas that are in shadow, plus darkened the pink decorative board beside the window.  In Photoshop, I removed the color to check the values.  Many thanks to L.W. Roth for suggesting that I look at the values in the painting. 

Jody's Mom Comparison

 

The before photo was taken under ambient light and looks so much warmer and has more saturated color.  The "after" photo was taken this morning under natural light and after reworking the chairs, darkening the flowers near Jody's Mom, and reworking the shadows on the sidewalk along with some other areas.  

I know the "after" photo pales in comparison but to me the focus is now more on Jody's Mom with the house being more in the "background". Wonder what Jody will think? 

Jody's Mom

Jody's Mom

Watercolor

13" x 19 3/4"