Reopening art studio and returning to painting
As you probably know, it isn’t easy to restart anything after a long absence. My health took a big blow, so I am just starting out again. This time, I decided to make my return with a flower painting on Arches cotton paper. As always, it’s quite large since I completely dislike painting tiny art. I have still some issues, therefore, I am limiting my painting activities to 2-3 hours a day. The flower painting took me about 6 days.
12 years in making
There’s no doubt, cotton paper is the easiest paper to paint on, yet, it has become extremely expensive. Many of my watercolor paintings are drawing-based. I don’t aim for copying the reality, but I want my subject to be recognizable and having some emotional impact. I had begun this particular painting with a drawing which I did some 12 years ago. The paper is good and why to waste it? While I had no other reference, but only the drawing, I still tried to figure out how to proceed progressing slowly and cautiously.
Painting in layers
I usually paint in layers, especially when it comes to complex subject with many parts. Since I don’t have a photo or the actual flowers, the first layers help me understand what and where to place and what colors to use. I make my drawing very light in order the graphite pencil wouldn’t shine through too much. Every subsequent layer will add more vibrance and increase the value intensity wherever necessary.
Color temperature and values
Not only flower painting in watercolor, but also any other complex subject we paint, benefits from coordination of color temperature and values. I certainly start out light, just because I don’t know exactly where what should be. In this case, I also leaved the background white for a while. The paper I am using isn’t the bright white, but somewhat off-white. Nevertheless, colors shine and make sense.
Choosing warm and cool colors
Beautiful soft colors for attractive flower painting. I used a few red tones and also quite a few yellow shades for the most important areas. The green colors are a combination of blue, Payne’s grey and different shades of yellow and green. I normally allow colors mixing on paper, but sometimes I need strong pure color to add the vibrancy. You probably won’t notice on photos much difference in warm and cold colors, and iPhone doesn’t like light colors making them practically white.
Flower painting that soothes
I intentionally kept everything rather calm and soft. I think the slight shades of background help. I am very satisfied with the finished painting and not that much with the photos of it. When viewing art online, you have to always remember that there are numerous devices and apps involved. Also, large painting online looks exactly like the small ones, but in reality, that makes all the difference. I hope this flower painting will make you feel good and calm just like it helped me to overcome pain and health issues.
It’s great to be back!
The painting is lovely, Inese. I enjoyed learning how you created it.
Thank you very much!
The iphone pictures suck, but I am trying to get them look like the actual painting.
That was quite slow this time, too, I am trying to sit for a bit longer and stand, and walk, everything slowly right now.
I don’t think the pictures suck at all! And I hope your health will continue to improve.
Best wishes,
Tanja
I suppose I see the actual painting and these pictures of it, and contrast, brightness, as well as color temperature differ noticeably.
Oh, I so much would love that! There are better days and worse days, but altogether, it’s a progress.
Thanks very much!
🦉🌸
It is good to see you back, Inese, and I am glad you have recovered. I enjoyed reading about how you went about making that beautiful flower painting.
Thank you very much!
Not completely done with recovery, but after so much time in bed, I can’t wait to do something.
I am getting better, the recovery is just very slow.
Amazing
Thank you very much! I noticed comments just now, but I appreciate them a lot.
I’m sorry to hear you’ve had some health issues. Glad to see you’re back painting. Interesting that I write in layers much like you paint, adding detail and definition with each pass.
This is just the first one after a very long time I couldn’t do anything, not even sit or walk, just had to stay in bed for like 3 months. I am starting out slowly, step by step.
It is interesting that you write in layers.
I really struggled with pictures this time.
Art will renew your spirit. Here’s to a smooth recovery and transition.
Thank you very much!
Recovery takes like half a year this time, but hopefully soon I will be much better.
Beautiful flower painting. I hope you are feeling better.
Thank you very much!