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Painting Flowers or Succulents
by
Birgit O'Connor
I am fascinated by the shape and deign of all of
these forms. For me it is not about painting a botanical rendering
but by using the flower or succulents as vehicles. In this
demonstration you will be able to see how I work with a painting step by
step to create the shadow and depth.
1. I first begin with a light pencil out line to give me the
general body of the shapes I will be working with, the structure. I try
not to get lost in details it is not my intention to paint exactly what
I am seeing - it is more of the essence. I do not worry about trying to
match the exact botanical color - it is whatever feels the best to me.
After the pencil work is completed I begin to fill individual areas
with variegated washes of color. Having different colors in the same
area gives the illusion of texture. To extend that further while
the paper is still damp you may add drops of color or clear water. The
differences in color will make the eye travel.
2. After having an idea of my lightest areas
of color I look for my darkest contrasts, this will help to amplify
the lighter areas and to bring them forward.
3. When I have the general idea of where I intend to go with the
shadows, I will go back to the lighter areas looking where I would like
to create a bend in a petal. To do this I will lay down a wash of clear
water into specific areas then with a stroke of the brush add a stronger
hue, and allow it to mix with the damp paper.
To achieve a smoother
transition between the colors, I lift the paper up and roll the colors
around, I have the paint travel into the areas that are the natural
channels for the color.
4. I complete filling the page of any open
spaces . At this time there is a mixture of flat and textured
petals, so I will have an overall view of the final painting.
5. I look to see which areas I would like to push into the
background. I work them from a lighter wash into medium or dark. I want
to enhance the lighter areas. This will make your eye first go to the
lightest areas then travel back into the mixtures of shading.
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