Sunday, June 24, 2012

More Hydrangea Paintings in Watercolor

Here is my second set of hydrangea paintings from my personal challenge on www.SketchingEveryday.com.

Hydrangea Painting #3

5.5 x 7.5" - transparent watercolor on Arches 140lb. C.P., matted to 8 x 10"
Painting #3 was done wet-in wet with minimal pencil guidelines. Here I totally wet both sides of the paper with clean water and used mostly a dry brush with plenty of pigment.

Hydrangea Painting #4 - Step-1

For painting #4, I wet the back of the paper throughly, then wet the background, carefully going around the flower and stem area. Wetting the back allows a longer workable half-wet period and allows the painting to dry flat without taping or stapling it to a board. You can see the nice edges of my painting in these two photos. I crease and tear my sheets to achieve this effect. This gives one the option of various mountings and mattings.

Hydrangea Painting #4 - Step-2

After step one was completely dry, I wet the back of the paper first then wet the leaves with clean water, carefully going up to the edges.


Hydrangea Painting #4

5.5 x 7.5" - transparent watercolor on Arches 140lb. C.P., matted to 8 x 10"

After step-2, and the paper was throughly dry, I dunked the whole sheet in water and let it get real wet. I took it out and placed it on cardboard so it would dry flat as I worked.

I'm thinking I want to go back on #4 and do some calligraphy and detailing like in the painting below. What do you think?

The Spirit of Summer
11 x 15" - transparent watercolor on Arches 140lb. C.P., matted to 16 x 20"

The comments on these challenge paintings have been most appreciated.
Thanks to those of you who took the time to comment or email. You are awesome!

As always, I'd love to hear your feedback.
Which one(s) do you like or dislike and why?


Thanks again for reading and have an inspired week!


11 comments:

  1. Really like "The Spirit of Summer"... it's very fresh and, well, summery! Beautiful.

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Kathleen. I really appreciate your input, especially because your work exudes "Fresh and Beautiful"!

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  2. Love your colors in Spirit of Summer. Beautiful...

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    1. Hope you are enjoying your summer Kay! Thank you for the shout!

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  3. Nice to see the process Sandy. Great paintings.

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    1. Thanks Ann. I hope the photos of my process helps others with theirs. ☺

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  4. Love the steps you've shared in Painting #4. That background really sets off the flowers!!! Going back in with a bit of calligraphy I think is matter of preference in detail. It looks good to my eyes as it is but I'm sure will look beautiful with the added calligraphy.

    I love that reference painting shown following Painting #4! Love the softness of the flowers bottom right versus the harder edges pulling the eyes to the flowers upper left. Beautiful!!

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  5. As always, I am grateful for your educated eye, methodical critique and detailed summery, Susan! Thank you very much!

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  6. Sandy, your hydrangeas are wonderful. I love reading about your techniques, and the rationale for them!!!

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    1. Hey Kathryn - Your comments are most appreciated, (As always). I did the step-by-step with you in mind. ☺ Glad you liked it! Have a wonderful, inspiring, horsey / painting vacation!

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  7. Nice job on all the whites.The flowers looks great! Thanks for sharing this!

    Watercolor Video

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