"Before the Frost Came"

[~~Kathleen]

Last Fall I took a picture of a plant in the garden that has fascinated me for a long time.
Even after the first frost when the leaves are frozen this plant looks like it is still growing.
It was such a neat photo that I saved it for painting.
I am trying to paint this in washes only (trying to get the Water Colour look.
Usually, I am very heavy handed with the paint.
Let me know what you think and how I am doing please, your input is important.
Thanks
~~Kathleen

The photograph;
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Feb-2009/92567-leaves_for_painting.JPG

My rendition so far;
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Feb-2009/92567-before_the_snow_came.jpg

[chammi kaiser]

I think it is a wonderful reference and you are doing really well. I am curious to know how you are going to get that pinky mauve colour (which make it looks so frosty) if you are going about this in a watercolour way. The green will show through quite strongly if you glaze over with the pink tone. Looking forward to the next stage.

[idylbrush]

Looks like it is coming along nicely.

[~~Kathleen]

Thanks Howard and Chammi. :)
Chammi, on a practice art board, I blocked in one leaf, and when I got to the pinkish area, I washed over it with tit white, and added the pinkish colour over that. blending the colours as the pink faded was not that bad.
Hopefully I can pull this off!
~~Kathleen

[Lady Carol]

It looks watercolouresque (is that a word - my spell checker says not :D ) already. I like the colours are it is looking very pretty.

P.S. I also like the fact that you know how to spell "colour" :lol:

[~~Kathleen]

P.P.S Carol....
I have never deviated from the English spelling form EVER!
I have traveled world wide, and have always maintained that it was "Others" that decided to change the correct spelling of our language, and that the English form has always been the correct form!!!!!:thumbsup:

As for watercolouresque seems like a good word to me. :lol:
I was going to use watercolourish, but your word is much better!:wave:

I am taking it very slow with this painting. Working with Kathy in the MTM forum this month has me thinking that I can do these things if I apply myself. See, you can teach old dogs new tricks!
~~Kathleen
who says thank-you Carol

[Linee]

Looking good! Keep doing what you're doing.

[~~Kathleen]

Thanks Linda, I think I am getting there.
It is so good to try to do different things.
I tend to get stuck in a rut, and have to force myself to
paint things that are outside of what I consider comfortable.
(Thanks to this months MTM lessons from Kathy, the lessons sure have me thinking about producing art differently!)
~~Kathleen

[AMuse]

I am taking it very slow with this painting. Working with Kathy in the MTM forum this month has me thinking that I can do these things if I apply myself. See, you can teach old dogs new tricks!
~~Kathleen
l

:clap::clap::clap::clap:

I'm so glad that the MTM has helped Kathleen.... and you are doing a fantastic job on this version of your painting :D

I love it!

[~~Kathleen]

Your welcome Kathy, I really learned a lot from the last exercise...Really!
Here is an up-date, I have begun to add in the initial pink, and will revert to the greens, blending, and after I will darken the pink where needed with a wash of lighter pink for the glossy areas (highlights on the top of the leaves)
Hope you like it, and remember input is what motivates me! (Not like I really need more motivation:wink2:)
~~Kathleen
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Feb-2009/92567-before_the_Frost_2.jpg

[Bizkit]

Well I think its looking Fab!!!! Love the colors your using in this and I think the composition is working well. A very interesting work indeed!!!!!

[~~Kathleen]

Thanks Mike.
I have had this photograph for two years, and looked at it so often, just wishing that I had the expertise to paint it.
Everything about the photo was perfect...colour/composition and mood.
I explained how it finally got on my Easel in my blog today.
~~kathleen

[Heston]

Really enjoy seeing your process, bringing this painting to life.

[~~Kathleen]

Thanks Polly :)
Here is this evenings input.
I can see where I now have to begin working on the colour values.
Now I think critiques are really in order.

~~Kathleen

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Feb-2009/92567-before_the_frost_3.jpg

[couturej]

Wow! Looking great! I'll be watching for your next update.

[arl]

This is really coming along and thanks for sharing your process.