Back to my beloved watercolor. This painting started out as a full sheet of watercolor paper (30" x 22") but has continued to shrink throughout the painting process. After I painted the background, my starting point, I decided that there was too much background on the sides. Hollyhocks are such a vertical flower, I really should have started with a longer, skinnier piece of paper. I took a few inches off of one side, then a couple off of the other, then more off of the first side. After that, I decided that there was too much stem on the bottom so off went more inches. And finally, I took some off of the top to change the focal point of the painting. I'm very happy with the final result even though the painting shrunk to 20.5" x 15.5". Thank goodness that painting on paper gives the ability to change the composition after the fact. Of course, if I were more careful with my initial composing, I wouldn't need to crop it later.
Hollyhocks seem to be one of my favorite flowers to paint. With this painting, I feel like I've finally captured their delicate beauty.
Delicate Ruffles
Image Size 20.5" x 15.5"
Watercolor
Unframed
Monday, March 21, 2011
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Gorgeous painting! Beautifully done Nancy.
ReplyDeleteNancy - this is so beautiful, so delicate looking. Love the colors you used. I have also cut parts of my canvas paper to change a composition and focal point. Scissors are just another tool of the trade! ;)
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful light on the hollyhocks. You are right the beauty of watercolor is that it's easier to crop...but in the end a beautiful piece.
ReplyDeleteI am just speechless, Nancy. I thought I was seeing a photo at first. You are amazing with the watercolors (my first preference too). I was giggling at your cropping process. Sounds like something I would do! LOL
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say, "This is just lovely". Beautiful!! You sure have captured its beauty.
ReplyDeletesherry
Beautiful painting--you really captured the ruffled edge and the colors are great.
ReplyDeleteThank you everybody for you really nice comments. : )
ReplyDeleteNancy, this is so gorgeous! I love hollyhocks, too, and you have definitely captured their delicate beauty!
ReplyDeleteYour cropping adventure sounds like what happens when I try to trim my own hair!
ReplyDeleteYou got the light shining though the petals just right.
Thanks Deborah. I hope your hair looks better when you cut it than my hair does when I cut it. It always looks so simple to do but my results look like I cut it in my sleep. Luckily, cutting paper is much easier to do.
ReplyDeleteThis is just gorgeous! So delicate and the colors are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThank you Suzanne.
ReplyDeleteExquisite! Those hollyhocks glow in the light.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie. That's the look I was trying to get.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Nancy!! This is stunning. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! The flowers come right off the page. You are so talented.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cheryl. It was a fun one.
ReplyDeleteI saw this one in the 15th Orange Open Exhibition - gorgeous! Deserves the recognition on this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Prerana. I was happy that this got an award. It was nice seeing you again.
ReplyDelete