WATER LILIES - LESSONS
Well, I learned one thing from this. If the background water is not as dark as the photo, it doesn't matter. Stop looking at the photo and let the painting tell you where to go. That thinking might have stopped me overworking the water so badly it looks like sewage!
Also, I could have omitted that tart green leaf at the top and I think it would have made the whites of the flower pop even more. And I could have made that lower green leaf nice and warm like the little center one.
So...I may try this one again another day, with changes...or not.
12 comments:
Perhaps there are things you don't like about this painting but I love it. the colors are marvelous, as is the design and overall painting.
New successful drawing!
You are always your own toughest critic. I really like your various greens and the composition is very nice. A lovely painting.
From the picture the background does not look overworked but I know that sometimes they look different IRL. Love those purple waterlilies. I think you are right that the lower leaf would look good in warm colors but this is not a bad painting. Nice capture of light!
We all have love/hate relationships with what we produce. If you can recognize some of what you would like to change, that's a good thing.
I also agree about not letting the photo dictate to you and let your gut reaction create the piece. Paintings speak, we just need to listen harder sometimes.
Rhonda, I think this piece is stunning. I love the play of light and dark. Ditto on not letting a photo rule the roost. It really is a jumping off point.
I'd love to see a series of experiments with this piece.
Every day is a new art day. You never know which creative self will show up - kind of like the different moods of the weather.
Thanks so much, Ann, Irina, Christiane, Vicki and Pam. In this case, the photo on the blog looks better and fresher than the actual painting - but I do see some good things in it. From now on, instead of whining, I'm going to find something I learned from the painting or something I like about it (even if, overall, I don't think it's a successful painting or lived up to what I wanted). Maybe I should lower my expectations? ha ha
Thanks, Prabha :) I'm glad you like this one. Maybe it will grow on me!
I love the colors....it has a very artistic flair.
Thanks so much, Gretchen!
Yeah I like this - Greens are tricky and I like your confident wash. And I like the outlining. I have tried water-lilies and I battled. I think it is a great subject - All the best on you way forward. And thanks for dropping by. Cheers hey
Thanks, Stephen. I used to be afraid of greens, but I think I'm getting over that fear. Just wish I had a more delicate hand with the watercolors...but I'm working on it.
Post a Comment