Daily Painting in Maine - playing with Peonies

I have been working on some paintings of peonies the last few days for a new gallery.

 I always enjoy trying different techniques on flower paintings. I haven't found there is just one way to paint them... yet.

Posing Peonies

5x7

This one I painted the flower first building up to the light. Then even though the background was toned, I painted the background darker around then flowers.

Standing Out

5x7

The second one was a different approach. I toned the dark background first, then painted the lightest lights of the flowers.

 Either way I had an enjoyable time playing with peonies.