Well, since I'm not happy with this painting as it stands, it doesn't hurt to go back and try to work out that background shape and color and value and...
So I spritzed the color off with a harsh spray of clean water and let the color run off the page away from the flower. Dabbed a bit to lift the loosened color, too. And ended up with this.
And the question is: Now what?
1. Look closely at the shapes that are still in that area of the background and determine which should be left pale and which should be darker.
2. Test the darks with a piece of acetate over the painting and paint on that before touching more pigment to paper
3. Take a break from this for a few hours before doing anything so I return with fresh eyes.
4. Give up? :)
In the meantime I've gone back to this painting - remember it? Started several weeks ago and left sitting due to lack of enthusiasm and the batik workshop and the printmaking day and (maybe it was due to lack of time not enthusiasm!). So far I've left the miskit/liquid frisket on and painted in the darks but not really continuing with the "Great White Shape" technique now...off on my own with this one.
(The darks are drying right now so I'll share them later.)
10 comments:
Never give up! I don't really know what to suggest Rhon 'cos I know you're studying the blushing whites with this and all my senses want to go a different direction, you know how I love color and drama, so I'll better bite my tongue and choose a mix of numbers 1 and 3, take a break ,do other things then get back with fresh eyes and look at the shapes, write it down ,take another break and when you come back, if you still think what you wrote is a good idea go for it.
I know, mi amiga!! We want to put in rich, strong darks to make the white pop...but this isn't the way it's done for this exercise and I'm struggling to fight myself to not put in the darks but keep things grayed. Ah, well...we'll see what happens with this one tomorrow.
oh my.. seems like the darks are at it again.. or is it the whites in this case..lol
dont give up!! after that i'm stuck...
darn!! wish i could see the painting while i type.. and or.. remember for more than 5 seconds.. ill be back...
ok typing quick..lol i like the leaves.. the colors help pop out the flower.. how about a bit of negative painting to suggest other flowers or leafs in the open spaces behind?? also how about bringing in a bit of soft blue /purple to set off the lite mauve in the pedals and the gold in the center..??? please try with acetate as im just guessing here and haven't a clue!!! LOL i'll be back to see how you do.. have fun!!
Thanks, Cindi - all good ideas! I wouldn't bother with this but it's an assignment for a group and you have to NOT use those darks all around but use grayed complements to make the whites show color...unless I'm really off the mark with this one (which could be true).
Hey Rhonda,
I understand the assignment,but I would just end up failing the assignment and drop in a bunch of dark rich shadows and add some dripping type lines out of those shadows.I also sent you a e-mail with some shadows added to the painting but could not add any kinda of run, drips because no matter how I tilted my monitor I could not get the Digital Watercolor to run it just sat there.
Hope I helped and you can at least get and idea of what not to try?
Thanks, Paul - good idea you sent me and I think I'll use it! Sorry about your digital images refusing to drizzle and drip - darned technology! ha ha
Not being a flower painter I can't give advice of any value but I like a lot of this painting as it stands. It seems like all it might need is a few stronger darks maybe in the upper left corner.
just checking back on your project.. sounds like a fun group.. maybe i can watch at this end and get something by osmosis.. will check back on your progress!!! fingers crossed!!
Thanks, Bill and thanks, Cindi for stopping back to check on this. I may have something to post later today - but first, time for our watercolor society meeting this morning.
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