"Standing True"

 

6" x 8"

oil on linen panel (by Ray Mar)

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Happy Easter, all!   First I need to apologize for the photo quality on this one.  The colors are a bit washed out.  I had the hardest time getting the colors correct.  The blue sky is not as cyan as shown here and the lavender flowers at the bottom have more magenta in them - a deeper purple.  When I get those colors correct the red in the tulip becomes way too saturated.  I don't know why my Canon could not get the colors even.  As for the painting, I probably fussed too much in the details, so it took longer than it should have.  I think I need to start timing myself, so I get more spontaneous brush work.  I wanted to soften the edges in the background, though, to give that out-of-focus effect.  

Reference photo was taken on April 13.  The clouds were so lovely that day, I just had to back up and show them off.  Loved the unique color of these tulips as well. 

"Tickled Pink"

6" x 6"

watercolor on aquaboard (by Ampersand)
$75 + $10 shipping within the US

This painting came easily.  I finally felt more comfortable working on the aquabord again.  Also, you can rarely go wrong getting good contrast when working with complimentary colors.  The pink on the green background was able to pop nicely.

Reference photo was taken on April 13.  The tulips were just amazing.  They'll be ending soon, so if you are local, get to the Gardens!  The color groupings are lovely.  More to come.  They are so tall, too.

"Ruby Awakening"

6" x 8"

oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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I was searching for good contrasts to paint and decided on this ruby tulip.  I really like the reflected light on the bottom of the petals.  It's tough to get those colors right.  I feel this was was quite successful.

Reference photo April 10, 2010.  Admittedly this was shot a year ago, but the weather and my schedule were not cooperating.  I knew the tulips were up and anxious to get to the gardens to take many photos.  Luckily I was able to a couple of days ago and got some great shots.  Get ready to see many tulip paintings coming up.  They are just lovely right now.

"Bell Flower"

6 x 6"

Watercolor on aquabord (by Ampersand)
$75 + $10 shipping within the US

I'm finally back to painting on aquabord.  Ampersand had been back ordered on their small aquabords for months.  Apparently they've come up with a new mixture for these clay coated hardboards.  So far I can't tell any difference from the earlier ones.  I'm glad to be able to use these again.  Love the way you can lift the paint off easier to lighten areas and create highlights.  

Reference photo taken on March 13.  These lovely little flowers came from a Bell Flowering Taiwan Cherry tree.  There are a few to the left of the rose garden along the temporary path made while they work on the new rose garden.  I believe they are putting a fountain in the center.  I loved the shape of these little blooms.  The painting almost looks like an azalea, but the flowers actually hung down like so: