Sunday, January 06, 2008

daily Painting Practice- Cyclamen

I have painted my wife's cyclamen flowers previously but I don't think I did them justice. Since that time the blooms disappeared for a while but now they are back giving me another shot at them.
I like how loose I started. Trouble was I got tighter and tighter the longer I painted.
Capturing those pinks were the hardest thing I have ever tried to paint. Of course I say that about oranges ... and lemons... and green apples. Just ignore me.
click on the image to enlarge the picture

Pink Cyclamen
6"x8"
oil on canvas board

This is a step closer than my first attempt, though I still haven't nailed that color yet. The purple flowers of the African Violet in the background under the pinks of the Cyclamen is my favorite part. Every now and then I find enjoyment in a very small part of a painting. It may only be a splotch of color or a combination of a few brush strokes or even just the highlight in the painting that does it. Sometimes it is the simple surprises that keep us going.

PS. I just noticed a stem that isn't finished on the flower on the right. I 'll need to add that in. There is nothing worse than floating flowers.

4 comments:

Nancy Eaton said...

Hi Peter - so glad that I found your blog! I love this painting!

I really appreciate that you show your progression. I'm a fairly new painter, and am learning so much from all you seasoned artists.

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

lovely flower paintings.

indiaartist said...

This was a very complicated subject but the painting has come out so well. Really beautiful.

Vani Pippalla Akula said...

Peter, i agree. flowers are difficult. You did good justice to the cyclamens. colors are crisp and you captured the light well too.