Sunday, September 25, 2011

Flowers and Vase


8 inch X 8 inch oil on canvas panel


Today was fun!  I wanted to try to something that for me was different .  One of my favorite artists, Jennifer Bellinger, has written that she always pre-mixes her paints before she starts a painting.  That amazes me, because I'm clueless about what colors I want before I start.  I mean she pre-mixes everything!  I love her work though, so I thought I'd try the best I could.  

I mixed a big batch of grays and darks, and big batches of oranges and reds and corals.  Lots of variations of the colors.  I found that it was really helpful to be able to reach over and choose the color I wanted without having to try to mix it and then finding that what I mixed wasn't quite right.  That's my usual method! 

I did realize that this type of floral, with lots of layers of color, would work better if I did an underpainting first.  After that dried, I could paint over the bottom layer.  Today I had more blending together of colors than I wanted, which got a little muddy.  

Still though, I was pretty happy with the result.  I'm not putting it in the do-over pile.  (At least not yet.)  




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15 comments:

  1. Angela SullivanSeptember 25, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Hi Virginia this has such a nice stand alone boldness. I love the suggested table and the lights and darks. It does not need to be in the do over pile.

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  2. David Larson EvansSeptember 25, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    Premixing came out good.It's a challenge to try it...A+

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  3. Linda PoppleSeptember 25, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Great job, Virginia! I like the vertical strokes you made and colors are lovely!

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  4. Kathy CousartSeptember 26, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    Wonderful painting. I like all the colors and have found that mixing ahead sometimes helps to get the values just right and a color harmony. That is what I love with this painting- really pretty all together. Looks like you had fun!

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  5. Christine's ArtsSeptember 26, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    You should be happy with the result, it's so wonderful! I had to come see this one, it caught my eye right away in the blog roll on my dashboard! Love it!

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  6. Kelley Carey MacDonaldSeptember 26, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    I would be happy with this one, too, Virginia! I love the exuberant brushwork!

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  7. martinealisonSeptember 26, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    C'est tout de même audacieux et à la fois grisant que de tenter une telle expérience...
    Le résultat me paraît tout à fait concluant.
    Une composition très automnale et lumineuse...
    Gros bisous

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  8. hmuxoSeptember 27, 2011 at 5:22 AM

    Wonderful painting, Virginia. Love the color!!!

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:24 AM

    I love this one! It is one of my favorites from you now!!

    Janice Warriner
    oilsbyjanice.blogspot.com

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  10. David ForksSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    Virginia,
    Thanks for the comments on my work. Regarding the detail of bluebonnets, I have had this same discussion with several collectors recently and each has their own preference when it comes to detail. Some like lots of detail, which I really don't like doing much of and some really prefer more impressionistic or less detail. I prefer painting more suggestively than I did on that piece but the buyer loved it. It all depends on my original vision for the piece or how it progresses. Regarding premixing, I do it quite a bit and the reason I do is so I can judge shadow, mid tone and light before putting it down on the painting. I think you have progressed quite a bit since you have started but if you are looking for suggestions I would say to try to simplify your shapes and define your objects by maintaining those defined areas of shadow, mid tone and light. Keep your work simple with large shapes to start then break them down. Try to create a strong notan structure and keep your palette simple. I hope I have answered your question and offered a useful critique. If you have any other questions let me know.

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  11. Carrie Waller WatercolorsSeptember 28, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    Virginia, it's fabulous! I love all those oranges. I took a work shop with James TooGood (watercolor artist) and he pre-mixed too. He starts with a clean palette which is very hard for me to do. I just can't get rid of perfectly good paint, but he does do amazing work! I tend to blend and mix as I go! Beautiful piece:)

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  12. Celeste BerginSeptember 28, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    I tried that pre-mixing thing a time or two---it is interesting! You got a good result. I like the stylization too. Good job!

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  13. carol morgan carmichaelSeptember 29, 2011 at 4:57 AM

    Love the vibrant colors in this one. Love you pair of pears too. Sorry about your back. hope it is much better. Glad to see your husband looking so well after his surgery last year.

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  14. Lorraine ShirkusSeptember 29, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Really like the bold limited palette . . . I don't pre-mix, more of a trial and error kind of girl. David Forks comment makes a lot of sense . . .

    Awww! So sorry you can't come tonight. I was looking forward to seeing the beautiful "geezer" in person! You will be missed . . .

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  15. Pam HolnbackSeptember 29, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    I sometimes pre-mix my paints in advance. Then, these colors become my palette and I continue to add more to those.

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