Demo - Dandelion Clocks 2 DEMO

[madmum]

Before I start, I'm not as happy with this as the first (isn't that always the way? :rolleyes: )

It will, at least, give you the general idea of how I did the first one, which you can see here (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=156044) :)

First step was to decide on a composition. I chose to have one full seed head and one partial this time. Then I used my masquepen to mask lines coming from the centre of each circle, but very roughly, short choppy lines. At the outside edges of the seedheads I added small clusters of short, feathery strokes. For the white speckles I squeezed the masqupen so it left small splodges in places.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Dec-2003/10535-dandelion_clocks_masking_2.jpg
And a close-up of the masking on the top seed head:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Dec-2003/10535-dandelion_clocks_masking_1.jpg

Next I wet the paper all over and started added strong colours, sticking to 4 pigments - pthalo blue, FUB, quin. rose, and Winsor violet.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Dec-2003/10535-dandelion_clocks_3.jpg

Working quickly and allowing the colours to blend and spread onto the seed heads, but not into the middle.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Dec-2003/10535-dandelion_clocks_4.jpg

I dabbed out some of the paint to give a cloudy effect.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Dec-2003/10535-dandelion_clocks_5.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Dec-2003/10535-dandelion_clocks_6.jpg

More to follow ASAP!

[madmum]

While the paint was still wet I sprinkled salt onto it, then left it to dry completely. I soon realised that the colours weren't dark enough but it was too late to rectify.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Dec-2003/10535-dandelion_clocks_8.jpg

I worked on the centres of the seed heads while I waited for the background to dry, using azo yellow, quin. rose and a touch of FUB. I also added a little more colour around the outside of them
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Dec-2003/10535-dandelion_clocks_9.jpg
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Dec-2003/10535-dandelion_clocks_11.jpg

Then I removed the masking and painted the stem and scratched a few tiny highlights around the dandelion clocks with a sharp knife.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/30-Dec-2003/10535-dandelion_clocks_12.jpg

I hope this demo was a good enough example :)

Ruth

[dorith]

hi ruth,

thanks for the demo - wow, what a great result!
i love the dark blues/purples of the background, and the salt splotches add a softness to the whole thing.
very well done, indeed...
:clap:

[Kate Mc]

:clap: :clap: :clap: Wonderful, Ruth! I missed the first one, so this was a double find for me.

Thanks for taking the time to take photos of this as you worked. I know that's hard to do with this kind of wet-in-wet work. It sure made a difference for us, though!

WOOT!




Kate

[Fagan]

KEWL!! I have wanted to try these... very well done! When my son was about 4 years old he used to shake these and sing a little song....shake your booties...shake your booties now. *LOLOL* so funny

[Sandy1]

Ruth this is absolutely stunning! A subject that to me seems impossible and you have nailed it. Love it.

Sandy

[jkook]

I missed the first one Ruth. Sure glad I didn't miss this one !:D :D Super. I love the colors and contrast. Thanks for sharing.
Jim

[olliewood0702]

Thanks Ruth for sharing!! I want to try this but must get myself the masque pen first.:p That is at the top of my wish list.:D

[lyn lynch]

Yes, Maddie, it is—especially if I refer to the first while I paint the second.

You have a definite "eye" for putting in the masquing—that is an art in and of itself.

Nope, I think you are wrong about the color not being deep enough—the salt spots are wonderfully done. They appear to be blowing on the wind, just as I imagine them to be. Lovely, lovely b/g, just as it is.

I keep trying the salt technique, but have yet to master it—still looks better on my potato salad. Thanks, Maddie, for doing this.

[tigre255]

Great techniqe.....must give it a try.......these look just as lovely as your first ones even if you don't think so.......thanks for the WIP.......

[Nacre]

Absolutely wonderful . I also must get a masque pen and give dandy clocks a try. thanks for the demo. Ruth

[dspinks]

Excellent demo, Ruth. I've rated it 5-stars.

Debra

[CharM]

Ruth, I pulled up your first thread to compare both compositions and to see why you weren't as happy with the second one... Get your glasses fixed, girl... :D The second one is every bit as wonderful as the first... In fact, I like the more distinct salting on the second one...

Thanks so much for this demo... I'm sure it was a bit of a hassle because you must work so quickly with the wet-in-wet... It's much appreciated...

Rating your thread 5 stars...

[M.A.]

I'm rating this one too, Ruth! *****

Beautiful!:clap:

[madmum]

Thanks, everyone! Delighted you've found this demo useful.

I was thinking about alternative colours for the background and I'm sure an earthy Baba type background would work really well too. Why not all try it and see what different colours would work? I just can't resist blues and purples :D ;)

Ruth

[painterbear]

Ruth,

I missed your first thread, but I'm glad I didn't miss this one. It is definitely worth a rating!

These are really beautiful paintings. I agree with Char, this one is every bit as lovely as the first one. I love the feeling of roundness, but still transparency, that you've achieved in the flower heads.

Agree with Fookie, your work with the masquepen is wonderful. It reminds me of Em's underpainting. When you finished with the masking, it already looked like a work of art.

Compare these with the one you did for the postcard exchange project. "You've come a long way, baby!" as the ads used to say!

[Yorky]

Wonderful WIP, Ruth. :clap: :clap: :clap:

Why not go for the hat-trick and do another one but this time show one or two seeds taking to the air?

Doug

[tigre255]

Originally posted by Yorky
Wonderful WIP, Ruth. :clap: :clap: :clap:

Why not go for the hat-trick and do another one but this time show one or two seeds taking to the air?

Doug

Ohhh like Dougs idea Ruth, that would be supper..........


edited......oh yeah I rated this thread five also......:D

[laudesan]

FANTASTIC

Thank you so much..

:clap: :clap: :clap:
It is my favourites......

[hopefulbucky]

Thank you Ruth, really lovely. May give it a try.

Did you use a photo or was this out of your head?

[Uschi]

THANK YOU RUTH!!!!!! EXCELLENT!!!!! I agree with Fookie, the way you did the masquing is very clever!!!! Also agree with Char, this is just as good as the first, but because the anticipation of how it would turn out was missing you feld it to be inferior.
Uschi

[Dublin]

Great WIP, thank you. It was very helpful to have a photo with your hand in it to show that this is really quite a big painting, maybe even a full sheet.? The masking is very delicate but I had not heard of a masquing pen before. Is this a standard art store thing.? Did you frame it.? It would be nice to see the full sheet in a mat frame.
:clap:

[GISELADOVE]

WOW, Ruth, it's just excellent .and I agree with everybody^^^^
else:D Thank you for sharing.
:clap: :clap: :clap:

[Astrid]

Thank you so much for showing your technique. It is very inspirational. What a great job you've done.

I also would like to see what the masking pen looks like. Could you post a digital photo of it?

[CharM]

Santa didn't bring me a masque pen... My ruling pen may not produce such fine lines...

BUT... I think it would be fun to give it a try!

[laudesan]

Do try your ruling pen Char, I can get some real super fine lines with mine, sometimes better than the masque pen ;) Tho' I do LOVE my masque pen :D

[cascadeoflove]

:clap: :clap: :clap: VERY BEAUTIFUL COMPOSITION, MADAM RUTH. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE MATERIAL YOU USED FOR MASKING HERE.

REGARDS
JAY

[madmum]

Thanks, Sylvia, I looked back at the postcard and you're right, but I didn't have a masqepen then!

Oh Doug, now you've gone and done it! I guess I'll have to do a series! I love that idea :D Thanks!

Barb, JJ thank you :)

Judy, I have a few pics of dandelion clocks as basic reference to form etc. but I only use them as a guide. Looking forward to seeing your interpretation!

Uschi, your analysis is probably right, I was trying to get it more like the first, but the joy of watercolour is that it never does what you expect ;)

Dublin, thank you. Actually the painting is only quarter sheet - I must have very small hands! lol Masquepen is a wonderful invention, I can get them locally or through the internet art suppliers. The inventor is the husband of a recent WC! new member. I won't be framing these as I try to sell on eBay, but I always add fake frames in Photoshop, I can show you that picture later :)

Gisela thanks :)

Astrid, I'll post a picture at the bottom of this message.

Char, have a go! The really fine lines are only really needed at the edges, and you could scratch them out?

Jay, thank you! This is the masqeupen I use for applying the blue masking fluid.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/31-Dec-2003/10535-Masquepen_with_dandyclocks.JPG

Ruth

[Rosemarie]

Fabulose WIP!
I love your painting. Did you use the super fine nipple for the outer seeds?

[cascadeoflove]

Thanks ruth for you reply

http://@flash movie\candle.swf (http://candle.swf)

jay:D

[Jprice022]

Thanks for the work you put into this and for sharing it with us Ruth.

John

[Felica Keech-Smith]

Both the original and this one are really amazing Ruth!

I was just thinking that that kind lady that wrote one of the folks here at WC would LOVE this thread. I really think this one would be a fantastic selling point for their product! (I'm sure wanting one right now, but still not sure I could pull off what you've done with it Ruth!)

Congrats girl!

Felica