Tiptoeing into florals....

susme48 · #1 07-23-2012, 01:19 PM

Hi!

I usually hang out in acrylics, but Maureen thought I might like the PP this month...haha...since I had done the DS....she did NOT warn me the subject matter was similar. Yet that is ok!

I thought I'd post the only two florals I have done recently...the older ones are well....abysmal comes to mind...

I will let you tell me if I should continue, or go back to portraits? There is just way too much subject matter out there for me to stay in one area or another yet....maybe one day.

this one was 11x14 acrylics on wrapped canvas I took the photo from my own gardenia bush.

this one is from DS

It is 12x12 acrylics on wrapped canvas

C&C is always welcome! Thanks for looking!

smudged-blue · #2 07-23-2012, 11:01 PM

I think you have done well with these. And you should continue with florals for sure. You should paint what ever takes you interest, what ever it may be.

To create anything white I think would be very challenging (maybe I'll challenge it myself one day). I think you have done a great job with your white flower. I like how it's color has hint of yellow in the center.

The only thing I would suggest is to vary your values more, keep an eye on your light's,mid and dark tones. for example the water lily petals could be darker closer to the center.

I look forward to see more of your florals.

Just wanted to add, That I like how you have done the backgrounds, they work well with the flowers and allow the flower to be center of attention.

**Lady Carol** · #3 07-23-2012, 11:12 PM

Sue you have done well. My first attempt at a gardenia was abysmal and I had to scrap it. It was for a wedding present as the bride requested it. I managed a better rendition the second attempt and my white looked like white even with colour in it. So I think you have done well so far. The water lily looks nice too. My only crit is that compositionally the flowers are a litle too central and having them off set would have created more tension in the painting.

rkprod · #4 07-24-2012, 09:42 AM

Nice work, Sue. White is not an easy color to paint in any subject. I agree with SB that you could have more values within your whites, but for the most part, this is a very good start.
Ron

susme48 · #5 07-24-2012, 01:20 PM

Smudged-blue...thank you! I am obviously still learning about values, which is very important in florals, as it is in portraits. It is usually the point at which I "fail", at least in my perception. I had the water lily darker, but it look so faked, I will have to try to do a bit more, with a very delicate hand! Thank you, for giving me something to work on, too many just say "yeah that's nice" and don't offer suggestions...I appreciate it!!

The gardenia bg was the first one I tried to do a sort of 'blur' on, and was pleased with how it turned out.

Thank you Carol!! I came close to tossing this one, as well! I tried to keep them from being dead on in the center, but would not be a problem in others to move them even further off center. Thanks for commenting as well! It is a lot easier to learn if I am told what I can do to improve!!

Thank you Ron!!

**noodle1** · #6 07-24-2012, 01:33 PM

Hi Sue so very nice to have you join in with the flower peeps!
I really like both of them very much, the flowers are done beautifully and as far as the contrast that'll come but I just personally don't mind the gardenia being a tad muted, your background is dark so as I looked at it I thought the amount of light that it would allow on the flower worked in how you painted it.
You can still bring it up tho, pick your light source and just brighten up some bg leaves and petals of your flower if ya want that should do it.

And anytime you see you've gotten too centered well ya can always throw in a bud or two on one side or the other..haha So happy you didn't toss it tho I think it's good! And the other is lovely as well, goooood water droplets too and being me I have to say I really like your hand with flowers a lot.

cutie. Hope you do more.

Hugs,
Elaine

susme48 · #7 07-24-2012, 04:46 PM

Thanks Elaine!! I can't do anything with the gardenia....it sold before it was all the way dry....

! I had planned on doing more, but was forbidden by the buyer. The waterlily is still here to work on, and I may try to work on the darks in the center of the lily...if I feel brave enough. Those were my first ever droplets, and I guess you could say I am proud of them...someone said you always remember 'your first'...

As for more...well every challenge seems to have waterlilies this month...so already did one more, and am working on a 3rd. The second one sux, IMO, but others think it is ok...so I guess some of it is taste? Hugs right back at you, my friend!!

smudged-blue · #8 07-24-2012, 06:15 PM

First of all congrat's on selling your gardenia

. I'm glad to hear that you have done some more water lilies, will you be showing them in the challenge?

Don't be to hard on your self with your work, they are really very lovely. The things suggested are just a few extra pointers, but also remember that you may want to have things to look a particular way, so some of these things may not come into play at those times (if that makes sense), I like the look of realism and thats where my thoughts come from, yet that may not be your preferred style. And there is no wrong way to create.

I enjoy using colored pencil's and I to still have a lot to learn, my first flowers turned out "dull" but with practice They are slowly getting there. I don't look at any of my pieces as "failed" as they may not turn out to what I envisioned, but I was able to learn from each picture.

Happy painting.

susme48 · #9 07-24-2012, 06:49 PM

Smudged, Thank you!! And yes, I plan to post in the challenge if I get them done. Most of the time, when I paint, I have been trying VERY hard to get away from realism, and to teach myself to paint more loosely/painterly...whatever. I find, for me, that if I just sort of go with the paint, and not try for total perfection things work out better for me. Otherwise, I will work a painting to death...just ask Carol, Maureen, and Elaine...they saw me 'kill'

a portrait of my son's wedding...and start over with a whole new pose. I don't quite understand when to stop....

**Vivien Maloney** · #10 08-02-2012, 11:24 PM

Hi Susan, you are making a great job of flowers, they aren't always easy to portray but these are lovely! Wonderful raindrops too!!

**Antiqueteacher** · #11 08-22-2012, 06:59 PM

Susan, we are so glad that you have joined us in Florals!! These are beauties!!

Katherine

**Charlie's Mum** · #12 08-24-2012, 04:41 PM

Sorry to be late to the party Susan

I know I've commented elswhere on the w'lily which I think is very good - love those rain drops - you can give me lessons in 'How to....'!

I really like the very bold statement of the gardenia and can see why it sold - I think the patternwork of leaves and branches hold the comp together very well.
So yes, do MORE and hang out here too

Carole A · #13 08-26-2012, 02:47 PM

[quote=susme48]Thanks Elaine!! I can't do anything with the gardenia....it sold before it was all the way dry....

! I had planned on doing more, but was forbidden by the buyer. QUOTE]

Are you saying the buyer forbid you to doing more to the painting you sold to him/her? Or are you saying the buyer forbid you to paint more pictures of the gardenia?

Just curious.

Carole A

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