Poppy & Fritillary

[linettalee]

This piece has threatened to become a career unto itself. Just loved this little guy that was speeding around my garden & finally got a couple shots on these small poppies (not the big California poppy, only about size of a quarter, so the fritillary appears larger than you would think - - this according to my daughter). Started & stopped many times and been so very frustrated with most of it. Have decided that there must be an end, mostly because any more fussing with just do the opposite of improve. But, maybe I got some lessons from it on what not to do. 8-1/2 x 13-1/2" watercolor on 140# cp.

[Antiqueteacher]

Linetta, I do know what you mean about having a career in painting one painting! This is beautiful work, though! I am glad that you kept going with it!! Beautiful job on the Poppy. . .wonderful folds!! The Butterfly looks so happy to be perched on the side looking for the nectar! One tiny nit: the proboscus (feeler) on our left needs to be free of the other flower's color. You might trying putting a blue on that flower to push it back some. . .try it on scratch paper first to see if you like it!!! If not, lifting will do the trick.

Katherine

[linettalee]

wow, Katherine, ty so much for that advice - - very appreciated. I had not looked at that area in that way ... got tunnel vision on all the other myriad problems. This is one area that probably is correctable, so I appreciate your help greatly. I did enjoy painting the center/front poppy and like the way it turned out. But, the bg, a lot of areas in the fritillary, etc. were big, big headaches!

[ErnstG]

Klasse Linetta!
Besonders schön finde ich das "Gesicht" des
Schmetterlings der sich auf den Nektar freut.
Ernst

[linettalee]

Google translated this way: Class Linetta!
I especially like the "face" of the
The butterfly is looking forward to the nectar.
seriously
______
ernstG .... I thank you so much especially since I love your work so much and thank you for commenting on my effort!

[noodle1]

Linetta this is charming and well painted, I think Katherine's suggestion would work out great, love your butterfly, the time it takes in the end always pays off in the work, however I do know personally that the wear and tear on the facial muscles are another thing..haha I grimace a lot when I've an ongoing seemingly endless endeavor..haha So worth it tho, love it!!!

Elaine

[linettalee]

Elaine, thank you for your kind words, they mean so much. That's what gives us strength to try again (and again). But, I don't think I want to ever see the facial expressions that were happening during most of this trial & error show.

[Violetta]

Glorious painting Linetta! I love the contrast between the luscious reds and oranges of the poppy against that blue! The butterfly is superb! This painting is definitely worth the time and effort put into it!

[linettalee]

Judy, I appreciate all of the support from you lovely artists on WC so much. Thank you for your wonderful comments.

I have done a bit more tweaking to this guy and hope it helps. Tried to mute the back poppy to send it back and (think) it helps? Also, the one thing that was bugging me the most after I saw the pics was his eye looked more like a weird face than an eye. Hopefully, the changes have taken it back to being an eye. This pic was taken in a mat that makes it 10-1/2 x 12-1/2 instead of the closer crop not certain which I really prefer. Love hearing from you and learn so much from your suggestions - - thanks

[Charlie's Mum]

This is very vibrant Linetta and the poppy petals are superb. Very well observed and painted. Worth all the effort!
I also like the muted one behind.
Forgive this but, where is his other wing behind his body - is none of it visible?
And I think that foreleg on our right, coming in front of his body - could it be darkened a little to define it more perhaps? - or is it one of his antennae?

[Vivien Maloney]

Beautiful colors and I love that poppy!