Ai yi yi, the values, the values. I set this up in a close color range with lots of shadow to work on this issue. Color complicates value. I think I will have to do some of Liz Wilson's exercises, 50 value studies in 30 days and see if I can't jam this into my brain.
The bluebonnets are on the wane here, only a few left and those look exhausted. I admit to poaching the yellow flower from the library beds early this morning. I think it is a kind of day lily, so it only had one day of glory anyway. These look like tiny orchids and float on long stems above the thin grass-like leaves. I was very economical with my brush strokes here, did not repair much in the process of painting it and mostly tried to leave the edges alone.
This is a plant brought back from the dead. I have been trying to get to it to paint before it got any more complicated. Those pink heads bunch up into an unrecognizable mass really quickly, then there are all those patterned leaves to deal with. They are strange and beautiful, though.
I used to buy these flowers when I lived in Boston, in the dead of dreary winter of course, and they were so intensely colored, like a flame, except for the white ones which were altogether pure. And they are in sort of frozen motion with their petals flung out every which way, not like a flower at all, but more an idea of a flower. I always managed to kill them fast, but here in Texas I have figured out their living requirements: a sill in strong light and a saucer underneath to put water in, instead of watering from the top. And water every day. I have managed to keep them happy for a couple of months now, and I have another pale pink one, that I rescued and have in rehab hoping to have a go at it soon.
OK, Ok, I've had some fish complaints. Here is another go at the grocery store primroses. The leaves were a luxurious tropical jungle, nice counterpoint to the big freeze we have here. My other news is that I did paint the underside of my glass palette a neutral grey and it is so wonderful -- much better than white. It is easier to gauge color against the neutral background - much, much easier. Oh yes, also, this painting is my contribution to the challenge for this month (flowers) on the web site sometexasartistsliketopaint.blogspot.com. To see everyone's entries, clickhere.
Another. I'm trying to work out some color stuff here. Such as, what is too much, and how can it be used most effectively. The end of the spectrum I'm not so familiar with is the quiet end. I know very well the over the top part. Currently I am in love with grays and want to learn how to use them to my own ends.
On this one I had a nice experience. Things were going along swimmingly and when I got to the bottom of the glass I realized that the stripes reflected in it, more than just through the base, in fact all up the left side. And I decided not to put them in because it was to0 much information. Very liberating. I don't think I have ever edited anything out before.
