The ravens are done and ready to fly. With the drastic crop, the size is now 15" x 17.5" on Arches 140# cold press watercolor paper. I'm not crazy about them (perhaps I need to focus on just one or two birds at a time).
And here is where the Shaker Still Life stands right now. I won't leave that corn that washy (I hear you, Susan R.), but boy, I like the way the corn looks right now and have to figure out how to get it more finished looking without losing the fresh look - but it has to tie in with the rest of the painting which is more finished looking.
I went back in with a big puddle and a big flat brush using Lunar Black and some browns - covered the whole "black" area and then darkened the shadow shapes on the table, too. Now it's smoother, less brush strokes showing.
Some Quinacridone Burnt Orange on the churn helped to redden it up a bit - with a bit of Quinacridone Gold at the bottom and a tad more French Ultramarine Blue on the bottom and top pieces going around (don't know what that's called or my brain can't retrieve the word right now). I toned down the yellow look of the onions with Raw Sienna and some Cerulean Blue in places. And I went back over the table to get more woody looking areas.
I have a feeling this is a Deb Ward painting (i.e., you work a bit here and there, slowly building up colors and values), which isn't my style at all but sometimes you just get into something that takes time and thought.
To keep me from going too crazy with the fiddly bits, I've begun another raven painting - loose with lots of color.
13 comments:
This is going to be really special. The deep rich colors and the shadows are exquisite! I can't wait to see the corn!
Hi Rhonda, I do like your ravens; I find the blend of geometric elements with the shapes of the ravens exciting. I look forward to seeing the next one. The palette for your still life is lush; it's fun watching it develop.
Wow! Those darks are out of this world especially beside the warm colors...This is looking so great. I do like the colors in the corn, but personally, I think you are right: it has to be more defined to fit in the more realistic rest of the painting. This is going to be a winner, Rhonda!
Mornin' Rhonda, it's coming out beautifully. You sound a bit like me.......inching forward with some trepidation, hoping not to make one wrong move. Watercolors and I have a sort of love/hate relationship but I think the love always wins out. Can't wait to see your next move.
I'm still here, sitting on your shoulder, watching that corn come alive. Yup,it's gonna be spectacular! Since I am immediately drawn to warm colors, this one is already singing to me....
PS...the word verification for this comment is "epugnise", so how would that be for a title of this...it sounds "nise"!
I think your ravens are great! Very well painted, and the still life is gorgeous and dramatic. I think you're 'on a roll' . . . again!
Didn't know there was a "Deb Ward painting" type - ha, ha. This is where it gets scary - you like it but know there is more to do. Have faith - you can do it! Keep repeating "slow and steady".
Thanks so much, Katherine, Peggy, Christiane, Carol and Jane for your comments on the ravens and the still life paintings.
Susan, not sure if that is a word of just a mix of consonants and vowels but I'm glad it ends in nise :)
Deb, I think of you and how you enjoy doing the "fiddly bits" so much so to me, that's Deb Ward painting :) hee hee
Rhonda, the shaker still life is really coming out well. I love the onions and the corn.
The ravens came out great!
I really like this still life, beautiful warm wooden colors.
Am looking forward to seeing the progress of the corn.
I agree with Peggy. I viewed your raven painting from across the room, from each side, and from almost stading on my head. It is exciting.
two good paintings..the composition is strong in both. I like how you handled the eyes of the Ravens. I'll be tuned in to see the finish of the "Shaker Still Life". Great work!
Thanks so much, Carol and Jane :)
Hallie, I hope you didn't hurt yourself, standing on your head like that :) hee hee Thanks for your comments on this one.
Thank you, Celeste. Your praise means a lot as I admire your work and your discipline a lot.
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