Poppies pop and red color to lift our moods

Red color is eye-catching and warm. Poppies is a much-loved subject in art classes, and since November is the month which many people in Canada associate with poppies and Remembrance day, we just couldn’t resist and painted some, too.

Red color must be fantastic for lifting up one’s mood because I cannot remember when else we were joking and laughing so much.

Flowers and easy flowers, such as poppies, are excellent painting subject for beginners. Also, while red color is supposed to be difficult to scale down and up, it still works very well as contrast. We have painted poppy fields, individual poppies, bunches and arrangements with poppies: every time these paintings come out nice and attractive.

The best part of being able to create is probably that we only depend on our intentions and goals. There are no limitations in subjects or ways to create something. It is almost an absolute freedom, and pretty much nothing but our personal situation can be a set-back. Freedom in creation means doing what one wants and prefers.  If it is technique that doesn’t work for you yet, you will just have to practice more.

Work in progress adult painting class

Red is an attractive color. More so, if you want to explore all shades of red. Painting flowers is easier if you start on canvas which has already a layer of paint in medium dark color. It also saves time because you have to work on the dark and light colors without worrying white spots between some parts. Secondly, acrylic paint is applied easier also on a previous layer of paint.

Our classes are listed here: Art classes

A few of paintings for sale: Shop art

39 Replies to “Poppies pop and red color to lift our moods”

  1. I so enjoyed my visual walk through your gardens. Congratulations on your fine work. Thank you for sharing your love of flowers ,with me, through the stroke of your brush, flow of pigments both subtle and bold. I love the diversity of style captured in each expression of the poppy and or poppies. I see red, but not in anger, but in the passion for painting. Wow!

    1. Thank you! You definitely should go for it! I don’t think anything can be so rewarding than painting poppies. We are probably achieving with this the right balance between excitement, pleasure, passion and devotion. You will be happy with your poppies if you start them. Good luck!

    1. Yes, Brenda, I think everybody should paint some scene with bright poppies in such cold and nasty (like it’s here) late autumn night. I have to think about Skype classes. Just get your brushes tomorrow and you’ll see how that happens from itself because it’s such a great subject!

    2. Liz’s is finished, meaning, she has all lights and darks in place. Nothing else is done yet, so they all will look great when they’re done, we plan to get them ready next week. The demo is absolutely unfinished, the fairly large one, on the easel. It’s because I have to restart it for every group. I’ll update with tonight’s pics later or tomorrow.

  2. Hi Inez Thanks for the compliments – I absolutely love your classes and the time I share painting with the fellow painters! Its relaxing and so much fun! The colours in your studio, in your beautiful vibrant paintings and in the student paintings, really create a wonderful and inspiring environment! Thanks for the super classes!

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    1. Well, these compliments are well deserved Liz! I am happy for such talented students who love art and creation like yourself! We should pretty much say thank you to all bloggers who have posted these nice compliments. I appreciate you stopped by and see you next week!

    1. Thank you Carol! Yes, these paintings are progressing beautifully, and we will finish them next week. Liz’s work is always very impressive, she has already moved to another scene! Many of our students are very talented, and they love art and classes so much, not only because it’s a learning experience, but like Liz said, it’s the inspiring company and environment and the great feel of being a part of such a wonderful creative process.

    1. You know Leslie, I initially hated how acrylic would not do the same what watercolor because I have also drawing and watercolor as my first background specialty, but later I started to appreciate all good things it can do. I never liked using masking fluid and I normally never do, I also don’t ever plan anything, so that was difficult when I was doing my large and complex watercolor still lives. Acrylic is more relaxing in that regard, everything can be adjusted and corrected, and I started to like it. However, it took me about 5-6 years until I really got into it.

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