Just like other primary colors, red color can have numerous variations of cool and warm shades. Red color is eye catching and energizing. I won’t try to list all symbolic meanings, but among well-known attributes, red color has a protective aura.
Unfortunately, no camera with all automated settings, can ever much the sensitivity of experienced artist’s application of any color. Therefore, the red color in a painting might be more yellow, as it very often is, more orange, or bluer. The color distortion has a wide range, and it is also difficult to correct because any change affects the entire image.
Creating the still life with red jug from 2012 drawing
It took a lot of guessing what goes where since I didn’t have the actual reference in front of me.
The new still life with red jug, has many red tones. I tried to capture them on images, as well, and I must admit, not always successfully. I know, people say, it doesn’t really matter, but if you see the actual painting and image thereof, you would agree that it matters. I created the drawing on Arches cotton watercolor paper in 2012. When I started feeling better, I decided to finalize all paintings on good paper since it has become extra expensive. Painting on such paper, is a pleasure.
The new painting is large: 24 x 18″ or 61 x 46 cm.
I noticed quite early that direction of light is very important for me. Whether you look at my drawings, pastel or acrylic paintings, or watercolor art, light always comes from the left. It’s just how I see everything. Once you have established your personal perception of light direction, you will notice how easy it is to apply shadows and use the composition effectively.
All still life paintings in this post have red color in them, some more, some less. Some have very warm red, some – rather cool. The same applies to different parts of one and the same image. When people start painting, they rarely think of these things – direction of light, cool and warm colors, volume and contrast and so forth. The subject is not that important, but the before mentioned things are since they are the main principles of painting.
I’ve always loved drawing and painting still life. It is easy to set up using whatever you already have at home. Certainly, some items suit still life settings better than the others. Yet, there is a way to implement anything. It could be your personal items, fruits, vegetables, flowers, books, souvenirs, attractive dishes, plants, bottles, jars and jug, I mean, the choice is endless. I love painting still life because I don’t need any photos for reference.
Any of my still life paintings always start with the pencil sketch or drawing. I draw sometimes straight on watercolor paper, sometimes – on whatever paper I have, and then transfer the drawing onto watercolor paper. Most of still life paintings are done on Arches cotton paper. I don’t use bright white paper, but rough and cold press for sure. I like the texture of paper even though it can make painting process more difficult.
I hope you enjoyed the attractive red color!
Interesting Inese, at first your site set to private so I had to log in and request etc.
Now I see I can comment here but it wouldn’t show me the whole of your post until I logged in.
I just get a snippet in the Jetpack app. Love the red jug and veggie still life paintings.
And good quality water colour paper makes all the difference.
Xx lovely artwork xx 💕
To be honest, I haven’t changed any settings, but WordPress has changed a lot. I simply didn’t have any motivation earlier. I will have to check. Is my whole site set to private?
Good you got access.
Thanks very much! Definitely, good paper is easier to use. Any painting takes me long time, so does posting. Hopefully that improves.
I hope it was just because I was accessing your site from my phone.
And yes, paintings like you’ve shared take a long while to paint as there are many layers blended.
Sending ❤️. Xx
That might be the case since phone requires new sign-in.
Regarding paintings, they are large also, and every part needs to be worked out.
Thanks for the hearty love!
Always welcome xx <3
It’s so great to be aware of that!
Not being a painter, it was interesting to read about your stepwise process, Inese. There is so much power in red, and the color’s vibrancy is very energizing.
Thanks very much Tanja!
Red is a lovely color and draws a lot of attention to an artwork. It also looks great on a wall.
I love using certain shades of it, not any and not in any combination, but I tend to return to it frequently, especially during the fall, sometimes winter, too.
All the best to you!
Whatever combinations you are using, they work very well in your paintings. 😊
Thank you for the good wishes which I would like to return.
I appreciate, especially since you are writer and most likely prefer writing blogs. Talking about that, I have another blog where I publish my poems, thoughts, observations, etc. That might be more in your field. I do publish some of my writing, but I am not a native English speaker, I’m originally from Latvia. While I speak 4 languages at a native level, still, my vocabulary is certainly not as rich as of somebody who’s born with English language.
Have some time, maybe stop by https://inesepogalifeschool.com/
I don’t insist, though. I know how busy we all are and how little free time we have.
Therefore, I am very grateful for your nice comments which I haven’t even returned yet.
Thank you, Inese, I will check it out.
I don’t mind following blogs about topics I know nothing or little about. It’s fun to learn about things I might not otherwise. 🙂
I agree, it’s always amazing what we can still learn even when we are older. I’m talking about me.
The world is big, and other blogs give us insight of what we never knew before.
I am still trying to catch up with everything.
Thanks very much!