White Tulips in a jug

[coconut]

I'm trying to get away from my usual animal art and since I also love flowers, I thought I'd give them a try...anyway this is on blue mi-tientes using pastels...photo ref. from the ref.lib....still working on it so any C&C's are welcomed and Thankyou for looking in.

[marionh]

This is looking good so far, your dancing leaves contrast so nicely with the jug. Welcome to the forum.

It's hard to comment when you haven't finished but a couple of things come to my mind -
The tones of the background and jug are too similar, plus the background through the handle reads differently than the rest of the wall. If the line in the background is two walls meeting, the wall up to the corner on one of the walls (left hand side one?) would be darker.

Once you add more white to the tulips they should really pop. Looking forward to the finish.

By the way, what size is this>

[coconut]

Thanks Marion for your comments - very much appreciated. I'll be working on this today hopefully...here is the original photo from ref.lib
I tried to whiten the tulips more, but having trouble adding any more white...will post another update when I can.
My paper is 9 x 12

[noodle1]

Love the comp and it's looking very good, do agree with Marion and her helpful hints. As far as making the white's whiter, not sure about working with the pastels (sadly can't do them) but when I want something to appear lighter or brighter I play up the deeper tones and contrast rather then trying to add more white, lighter colors or shades always come off brighter then, just my thought tho.

So far it's stunning!!
And oh my how could I forget, Welcome from me too, happy to have you with us.

Elaine

[Antiqueteacher]

Welcome to the Florals and Botanical Forum, Coco. We are glad that you left the 'pens' and came to the 'Gardens'!!

Lovely beginnings!! Some good advice ^^^!

Katherine

[marionh]

Elaine is spot on. If you increase the darks in the tulips the whites will stand out more - it is also a good chance to put some reflected colours into those darks to give them life. For increasing the white. Wait until the last moment, and if you have a softer pastel just put a few touches of thick white in places for the highlights. This will work better than trying to lighten all the white. Sometimes with whites it can be effective to use pale blue, pale pink or pale cream instead of white, and then do the above. The highlights will then stand out. Your paper IMHO is not the best. I never liked it for pastels as it does not take many layers, but I do work with a lot of layers.

An idea has also occured to me. What about adding a touch of purple or pink to the background with a touch on the vase? Just everso lightly to maybe the a third of the area, to give a gradation to the background? Just use the pastel on its side and lightly touch the surface. Just an idea.

[Paulafv]

Beautiful painting and good suggestions. I always save my Schminke white for the highlights - it's the softest pastel I have. Bought a box of three just for that reason. If you have fixative, now is the time to use it. After spraying, add your highlights.

[Sharrm]

This is lovely, well done.
Some great suggestions above, I've never worked with pastels so taking notes myself...
I do however agree with Marion above about the darks, to give you the contrast to bring the lights out
and her other suggestions... Funny about white colors in paintings, it's the other colors in them that make them white.

[coconut]

Thankyou all so much for your terrific helpful comments - I find it inspiring and am anxious to make the changes you have suggested ... time has been an issue this week...but soon back to the drawing board, then I will re-post

[KreativeK]

Hi Coco, thanks for posting this lovely painting, and for joining in here in the florals/botanical forum. Right now it lacks darks for contrast which the ref photo has, and which was already stated. I have the same problem no matter what medium I'm using, so always put my darks in first and it is easier after that.

[coconut]

so I've changed it up a bit ... changing background color, tried to add some darks, and very willing to do more ... quite a learning curve for me but I'm really enjoying playing with this...thanks again to all for looking in.

[marionh]

This is looking much better. I love those reflected lights you now have in your jug. Just lovely.

One hint for you - I'm not saying to do anymore to this - consider using purple as your darks for your greens. Purple enhances the green and for me is a winning combination. It works especially well in pastels.

Look at Jackie Simmonds work in the pastel forum. She does many paintings with white in them - but very rarely uses pure white.

[coconut]

Thanks Marion ! I'm still going to play around with this one and see what happens ... and I did go to check out Jackie Simmonds work as well - what a talent and cool to see how she uses other colours for white.