A simple potted plant
I finally got back to some painting. As always, it is so good, and such a luxury, to be able to spend the morning painting.
My exercise in negative painting and flowers continues. Or, in this case, it is probably more accurately described as a potted plant? Anyway, I just love working in blues and greens (and maybe a splash of orange). This is a long way from my initial idea of the types of paintings of flowers I would do - but actually a much more accurate reflection of the types of paintings of flowers I like to do!
This is only a small painting in size. It was nice to work in a smaller scale than usual. It was also nice to keep the painting as an impression of flowers rather than getting caught up in the details.
Yes, it was a good morning of painting.
A work in progress
I like painting "quirky" flowers. I admire the beautiful, realistic paintings that capture every petal, every leaf, every bud, but painting in that style is not for me. Give me a quirky, representational nod to flowers any day!
Now that I am a little clearer about the type of flower painting I like, I can now spend some time playing in that style. Do I stick only with acrylic paint? Do I add in some pen work or perhaps it will be coloured pencils ... ah, I love those decisions. My plan is to try them all. Paint, pens, pencils = hours of fun!
This particular painting isn't finished but I like it so far - it appeals to my sense of quirky. Now, I just need to find some time to get back to work on this one!
Transformation
The great flower experiment continues!
What a great way to spend time - pondering how to paint flowers in a way that appeal to my sense of whimsy. I have been experimenting with different ways of painting flowers - admittedly some paintings have been more successful that others!
This particular painting has morphed a few times - from orange-based neutrals to slightly reddish flowers to a complete transformation. :-)
I like the end painting. By no means perfect but definitely getting closer to a style that works for me. And so the great flower experiment continues!
Here are the three stages in that process:
One layer, two layers
I made a start on a new series of paintings today. Finished an initial background layer and also a second layer of contrasting colour. I am working on three paintings in this particular series. My intention, at least I keep saying this to myself, is to use the series to experiment with painting flowers.
The trouble is ... I simply cannot help but see lovely whimsical creatures in these under-paintings. I mean flowers are lovely but how do you resist the creatures who are just waiting to be revealed from within the colours?
Sigh, the underpainting, the splashing of colour is the easy part ... maybe I'll just paint a few more layers and then see where it leads ... it's lucky I don't need to be too preplanned ... I'd never put brush to board then!
Here are the three at the end of layer two:
Preliminary paintings
Practice, lots of practice. There is really no substitute for practice. I have been working on preliminary paintings of flowers as I prepare to work on another series of paintings. For whatever reason (are perhaps in a fit of madness) I am planning to work on a series of flower paintings. Hmmm, this seemed like a great idea until I started working on my preliminary paintings. Flowers are proving so much more challenging than I thought. Ugh.
I may need to work on a few more preliminary paintings before I get close to the painting I have in my mind. Lovely loose flowers ... combined with my love of whimsy ... that's my plan (in my mind at least!).
Here are some of my preliminary paintings ...
And some more flowers
I am using flowers as my inspiration for my paintings this semester. Well, flowers or images that vaguely identify with flowers ;-) ... A challenge to find ways to make a subject that is very common in paintings my own.
I am really focusing on learning about composition - what works and what doesn't. This painting isn't totally completed but I like where it is headed. The "flowers" are just part of the design and not really intended to be read as flowers but more as shapes and colour in the painting. This was painted on my trusty MDF board - so not intended to be a finished piece but rather an exercise.
I have a few more MDF paintings to go before I commit to using better quality wood panels and canvases as my substrates.
Negative painting over collage
Exercises continued today. This time we started with a collage - simply covering the substrate with scraps of paper. I used some lovely origami papers as part of the collage. Once the entire piece was covered in paper ... and a coffee was had ... it was time to paint the collage. Once again, we used the idea of negative space to draw the picture from the collage. It really is my favourite approach.
The more I look at this painting, the more I like it. It was driving me a bit crazy as I was painting it. The blues and greens were blending more than I liked. Still, a great way to harness some creative thinking and as always, the absolute best way to start off the week!
Back to class
Hooray. After a break of 5 weeks, I finally got back to art class today. Starting a week with 3 hours of painting time has to be the best way to set yourself up for a great week.
In those 3 hours, I paint, I chat, I paint some more, I drink a coffee and I inhale happiness. Love it.
The first few weeks of class each semester is devoted to exercises and activities - something new to add to the learning. This week we were challenged to paint a still life (a world globe and a pink ukulele) - but the still life was moved 3 times. Hmmm. A challenge. How to capture that change in frame of reference?
It did take me a little while to get my mind open to the challenge ... In the end I am happy with my solution (which in part was simply to just add a hint of pink ukulele!).
Yes indeed, so very glad to be back at class.
Tree whimsy | Diane Culhane
One painting leads to another and slowly I get closer to the paintings I have in my mind ... I am not quite there yet but painting whimsical trees (thanks to Diane Culhane for her inspiration) is moving me in the right direction. I am inspired by artists like Diane and also Elke Trittel - their work is whimsical and interesting and surprisingly complex. I love it.
It is a bit of a slow process - I find I need to start by trying to draw directly from the work of an artist that inspires me - learning how they produce the work they do and then incorporate that learning into my own art. Hopefully the process brings a depth and interest to my paintings. I am always very conscious at the beginning of the process that I am relying on the work of the artist to inform my paintings.
I have been alternating between painting on canvas and painting on board and I have to say that board wins! I love the texture from a brush stroke but I am not such a fan of the texture from the canvas. Purely a personal choice.
And so, bring on some more whimsical trees painted on boards ... let's see where this takes me!
Series #2
Well hello Series #2! I wasn't sure what I was going to paint as I set out to work on a series of paintings. Admittedly I am still working away on Series #1 but I think I'm done with Series #2.
The paintings have been through a number of changes - underpainted in the blues/greens before a layer of the reds and then a layer of whites. Some sgraffito for good measure and glazing with transparent paints to bring it all together. I must admit there were points in the this series where I didn't think it would come together but I'm pretty happy with the final result.
I painted on wood panels rather than canvas substrates and I loved it. I loved the smoothness of the panels; definitely worked better for me than the textured canvas. I will be using wood panels agin!
Here are some photos of the individual pieces:
