The PLANT PARADE: our monthly challenge. November

[KreativeK Moderator]

A stunning study of greens, Maureen So glad you posted this.  It’s very refreshing and exciting.

Kay

Moderator: Watermedia, Mixed Media, Abstract/Contemporary

[Joy K Pennsylvania USA]

Maureen, well great minds think alike! I thought I would be the last to post and find this beauty by you! We picked the same ref and used similar mixes, albeit mine is watercolor. Yours has a very fresh, clean look. I am scanning mine and will upload it soon.

Joy
C & C encouraged!

[Joy K Pennsylvania USA]

This came out like some abstract shapes and was surprisingly time consuming and difficult.  I got sick of working on it halfway through and could have done better, for sure. Initially I used wax resist for some of the light areas, and then permanent masking medium, and I used too much. The Legion Stonehenge Aqua 140CP was not the greatest in terms of working over and glazing. paper I was determined not to use any tube greens. I mainly used Cadmium Yellow mixed with Cobalt or Thalo, with some Quin Burnt Orange to tone it down. A few of the darker areas were the yellow mixed with Payne’s Grey.

This has taught me three things:

1. Despite all of the mixing charts and suggestions that other artists have on mixing greens, it seems as if the same colors are produced with several different mixes. It all depends on your patience, preference, and the colors you already own.  Perhaps that is why many artists (like Hazel Soan and Jean Dobie) rely on relatively few colors that they know well.  Jean Dobie starts with Veridian or Pthalo plus yellow, then adds red prn.

2. It is much less trouble and one can get the same results using a tube green and adding making adjustments.  (Although I did not do that for this exercise, and it just took me longer and made me cranky!) They are called convenience colors for a reason, peeps. I usually use Sap or Pthalo and adjust, but I enclosed some new DS ones that are gorgeous and “play well with others”. I generally don’t buy new paint colors, but I have such problems with greens, I tried these.

3. I need a lot more practice mixing various hues and values of greens! Jerry’s favorite color is green. Considering the human eye can distinguish more shades of green than any other color, it would not be his favorite if he had to mix it!

 

 

Joy
C & C encouraged!

[KreativeK Moderator]

So impressive, Joy!! You’re right about the tube greens.  Two of my favorite colors are green gold and undersea by DS.  I usually add a red or reddish brown to green gold as it can be too bright or high key.

Kay

Moderator: Watermedia, Mixed Media, Abstract/Contemporary

[tuscanny Moderator oil pastels]

Vivien – love the variety of shades

Maureen – looks great even if it isn’t finished

Joy – with all your struggles, your painting turned out great.

Christel

[Charlies Mum Administrator (Maureen)]

Oh Joy, I’m so impressed with your analytical approach… you really took this to heart! I’m also impressed with those lovely mixes and subtlety of the greens …. really lovely areas. Maybe it doesn’t matter that we didn’t finish, or weren’t satisfied …. we found things out!
I love Sap Green in acrylics but resisted using it and did make it, but so much easier just to squeeze from a tube!?

Thanks again for taking part everyone … and thank you for comments on my little piece!

Cheers, Maureen

Forum projects: Plant Parade projects in the Florals/Botanicals forum , WDE in the All Media Art Events , Different Strokes in Acrylics forum .

[ams]

Good observations Joy.

I usually start with sap green and work from there.

You may not be pleased with your results but your paintings is very nice. I like all the different shades of green you were able to produce.

Maureen, I agree with your thoughts on learning even when the finished product isn’t what we hoped for. Remember, it’s only a piece of paper. Have fun and don’t be afraid to experiment.

 

Anne
C & C always welcome.
https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/topic/wip-still-life-with-purple-underpainting/

[Joy K Pennsylvania USA]

Thanks for your input and encouragement! Maureen, thanks for a great challenge that got us all thinking and experimenting. There are many, many “formulas” for mixing any color that produce the same results.

Joy
C & C encouraged!

[CMorpaint]

Maureen  you came up with some beautiful green mixes and your painting is lovely even though not finished.  You have had alot going on so it’s understandable why you didn’t finish.  Hope things get sorted out.  Love how you showed the slight curl at the edges of the leaves. 

Thanks to all for the kind comments on mine.

 

Regards,
Cindy
C/C always welcome
"Painting is my meditation"

[CMorpaint]

Joy I really like your painting also.  Nice how you show the shine on those leaves and,the slight curl on the edge.  Those Daniel Smith paints are lovely.

Regards,
Cindy
C/C always welcome
"Painting is my meditation"

[ams]

The Plant Parade for Dec 2023/Jan 2024 is ready here.

Anne
C & C always welcome.
https://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/topic/wip-still-life-with-purple-underpainting/

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