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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

THE MAKING OF A PAINTING


Photograph of a Devil's Trumpet - Datura*
Greetings!
I thought that it would be neat for you to see how I create some of my paintings.
When I was on a garden tour, I saw this beautiful flower and photographed it. I look for interesting shapes, shadows, and color contrasts. Devil's Trumpet or Datura is often confused with Brugmansia, whose flowers hang down.
First, I drew the flower in pencil on 300 lb Arches watercolor paper. Usually, I start painting the flower, but this time I thought that I'd do the background first. Since there were distracting tomato plant leaves behind this flower in the photo, I decided to ignore them and make a blend of colors instead. For this background, I used a combination of ultramarine deep blue, Russian green, and indigo blue - colors that I would use to paint the flower. I felt that if it were rich and dark, it would add great depth, making the flower "pop."

Next, keeping my photo close by, I started to paint the shadows of the flower and tried to remember to use values from very dark to light giving the illusion of a three-dimensional flower.
I used ultramarine deep blue until I thought that I had the shadows finished (below).

When I thought that I was close to being done, the flower looked dead to me. It lacked warmth. It had no character.
I decided to add permanent rose paint to the flower shadows and soften some of the hard lines and adjust some shapes that weren't quite right. Finally, I completed the leaves, adding a glaze (or thin layer of paint) of quinacridone gold to give it a bit of a glow, but not making it a distraction,taking your eye away from the flower.
by Barbara Rosenzweig

I think that it is finished! ...or is it? What do you think? I'd love to hear your comments and suggestions!

Linked to and Outdoor Wednesday. Alphabe-Thursday, Open House Party, Cottage Flora Thursday, Inspiration Friday, Macro Flowers Saturday (*This site has a wonderful description of the Datura!) .
Posted by Barbara Rosenzweig at 6:28 PM
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37 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 17, 2011 at 6:58 PM

    Are you kidding? I loved each step and wish I could only do some of what you have created. Beautiful...found you at Tracie's and need to see more so I'm now following you! Yippeee...

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  2. poppilinnstudiosAugust 17, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Another beautiful painting Barbara! I enjoyed seeing how you created this lovely flower.
    -Lynn

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  3. Ann from On Sutton PlaceAugust 17, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    I'm certainly no expert but I think it's lovely. I do think your final tweaking made a difference. Thanks for sharing your process!

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  4. Heather{Our Life In a Click}August 17, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    Wow! Thanks for sharing!!! Love your painting!

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  5. AnnesphamilyAugust 17, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    Oh Barbara, you are one terrific artist! I am over from Alphabe Thursday! Anne

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  6. debAugust 17, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    Gorgeous!
    *hugs*deb

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  7. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    I really enjoyed seeing how Yiu craft your work.

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  8. Grandma Barb's This and ThatAugust 17, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    Thanks for sharing how you created your lovely watercolor. I have taken some classes and been doing a little watercolor. I plan to do much more this winter.
    Barb

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  9. VintagesouthernlifeAugust 18, 2011 at 12:18 AM

    You are so talented! Thanks for sharing and Happy Alphabe-Thursday!

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  10. DarlaAugust 18, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    It's beautiful! If only you could capture the fragrance with your paintbrush.

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  11. Maria's WatercolorAugust 18, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Just wonderful, love to see the painting progress, love how dark your background is, really makes your flower stand out!

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  12. Susan AndersonAugust 18, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    I can't even imagine being able to do that! But I would sure love to know how!!

    =)

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  13. KarenAugust 18, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    I think you should have your own TV painting show! What a beautiful work of art as are all of your paintings. I am always fascinated by the process of painting and love to see these step-by-step tutorials.

    Lovely work again, Barbara!

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  14. lissaAugust 18, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    it's quite lovely. I might have change the white to some color but here it works very well.

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  15. Erin of HomeSavvyAtoZ.comAugust 18, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    Thank you for stopping by my site today, Barbara. I am so glad you did. You are a very talented artist! I am happy to be a new follower. I would love for you to stop by next week and link up at my Savvy HomeMade Monday blog party.

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  16. AnonymousAugust 18, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Oh my! You're so very talented! Your painting is so beautiful and you are an amazing artist!
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  17. NayanaAugust 18, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    wow...great work! watercolor painting is my hobby but I m no pro like you...your work is gorgeous:)

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  18. Fishtail CottageAugust 19, 2011 at 12:39 AM

    I think it's fabulous! your work is amazing & so glad you shared it over here at Cottage Flora Thursday's this week! hugs, tracie

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  19. Self SagacityAugust 19, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    I just learn something new, but I don't think that I can do it as well you did.

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  20. Cindy AdkinsAugust 19, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    Wow, this is beautiful! and thank you for showing us the process--it is so fascinating!! Wishing you a wonderful weekend--and this painting is definitely complete--and completely gorgeous!!!

    XO
    Cindy

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  21. Ashley SiskAugust 19, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    What a neat process and beautiful work!

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  22. JudieAugust 19, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Barbara, I can see that you have a very controlled touch with your brush. Excellent work!!

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  23. AnonymousAugust 19, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    How cool. That is so awesome!

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  24. black eyed susans kitchenAugust 19, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    What a wonderful, wonderful gift you have! That painting is amazing and beautiful!

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  25. Karen @ Pieces of ContentmentAugust 19, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    I love it Barbara, just the way it is. It looks perfect - delicate, yet strong and captivating.

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  26. AngelgirlpjAugust 20, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    Very beautiful. Your picture and painting remind me of our moonflowers.

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  27. MaiaAugust 20, 2011 at 2:13 AM

    Very beautiful work and a great step by step description.
    Thanks for the photo reference but please correct your backlink to Macro Flowers Saturday that people really can see the datura picture. That so called link goes nowhere.

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  28. Cheryl D.August 20, 2011 at 3:18 AM

    You're very talented!

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  29. Leckeres für Mensch und Katze - Goodies for a pleasant lifeAugust 20, 2011 at 5:47 AM

    Thanks for showing us! Very beautiful :)

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  30. DimpleAugust 20, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    I think is it better than the photo. A lot better. You have brought out the shadows and veins, giving it more depth, and enhanced the color enough, but not too much. I like it!

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  31. Leckeres für Mensch und Katze - Goodies for a pleasant lifeAugust 20, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    Welcome to Weekendflowers! Thanks for joining us :) LG Tina

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  32. LauraAugust 21, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    Gorgeous...how wonderful to watch this genesis from start to finish!

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  33. Vicki DianeAugust 21, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    Wonderful Barbara !!! Really enjoyed looking xox
    Vicki xox

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  34. CherylAugust 21, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    What an awe-inspiring process. 'Course I had to scroll through a bunch of your other posts. Sheer awesomeness. So glad you have an etsy shop.

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  35. JennyAugust 23, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Oh my goodness. You made this look so effortless so I totally realize how talented you are!

    This is just really gorgeous!

    You have such flare for painting.

    Thanks for sharing your talent with us here.

    A+

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  36. Erin of HomeSavvyAtoZ.comAugust 28, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    Your work really is beautiful, Barbara. Thank you so much for linking up at Savvy HomeMade Monday. We are partying again and I hope you will stop by! :)

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  37. Esther JoyAugust 31, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    I like what Pieces of Sunshine said "- delicate, yet strong and captivating"

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Thanks so much for stopping by! I'd be just delighted if you left me a comment!

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