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Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Silver and Lace

(Pastel pencil on Mi Tientes paper)
Object 10 -- the top of a silver coffee service from an estate sale.
Seems like I just want to draw this one at about 300% of it's actual size!

I've been up to my elbows in a watercolor of Queen Anne's Lace (the flower -- not a fabric!) that I've done and re-done several times.
This one was started in WC class two Saturdays ago and I worked on it again this past weekend. WHAT A MESS! No middle values at all -- any that you see are the result of heavy scrubbing out. However, I got a much better feel for what I was aiming for and so, when I got home Saturday evening, started another version ...



This is the newest version in progress -- well, a portion of it (it was too big for the scanner). I totally changed the colors, and am trying to keep some middle values. I also made liberal and frequent use of masking fluid. Now, can I nurture this one on all the way to the end? There's still a lot of work to be done on it, so if not, it will just get done again ... and again ... and again ...
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25 comments:

picklesandroses.blogspot.com said...

Linda, this last try is so beautiful. I am trying to learn watercolors and I think you really achieved a range of value in this last one. I love the choice of color as well.

annie said...

I don't understand all the technicalities, so both the WCs of the Queen Anne's Lace look good to me (sometimes, ignorance really is bliss)!

And I like the silver one as well.

Deb S. said...

As usual your greens are beautiful. Nice job with the silver as well.

Unknown said...

I think you should do the silver about 300% bigger - what an awesome painting that would be! WOW - great reflections!

There seems to be a much more delicate quality in the second painting, and I very much like the addition of all the leaves. Looks like you will have some great rich darks just left of center that will really draw your eye to those gorgeous QAL tops. I'm looking forward to seeing this one completed!!

Derek and Joshua said...

Mom told us that you still take art classes, but we can't figure out why, as you are really awesome. Cool paintings.

Teri said...

Oh my gosh, I love each and every one-done or not. Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Glorious! The Queen's Anne lace is really breathtaking!

Laureline said...

Linda lou, that was me in the post above. My link didn't go through and I want to make sure you knew my opinion on the fab Queen Anne's lace ;D.
Laur(elines)

Emma Pod said...

Hi! I'm looking at your two watercolors....did you do masking on the leaves as well as the white flowers? You have so many nice light green stems, so I'm wondering if you did a wash first and then masked over that to do the darker colors? I'm trying to learn this process, so am curious. Beautiful work!

Lindsay said...

I love this page. Two completely different textures and they are both wonderful. You can really cook with pastels!

Jana Bouc said...

The silver looks great...really realistic and I like your watercolors a lot. Beautiful colors and design.

Linda said...

Thank you all! Emma -- to answer your question -- after doing a light loose wash on the paper I used masking fluid on the flowers only in the first one; on the second one, I did a lighter wash, used masking fluid on part of the flowers and stems, did another light wash or two, put on some more masking fluid, over and over again to build up. Now I have to go back and put in some various greens on the the areas that are too light, and some really dark bit in the dark areas. That's why the outcome is still so up in the air!
;-)

Joey V said...

Hey Linda!!!!
Yes, I'm back to the real world in Madison now!
This is great - you know, you should REALLY consider selling these things in print. I'll be the first in line.
Love that smirking Buddha! :)

Anonymous said...

Nice mask use, and good idea doing an underwash for extra tonality. I like the deep darks you're getting. Masking's the best way to do that.

Great work!

Anonymous said...

Great work, Linda. Excellent reflections on the silver vessel

mrana said...

Wonderful work. I like the silver and the watercolours are both gorgeous! QAL is a difficult subject but such a lovely flower, you've captured it really well.

seesue said...

Lord but you are talented, girl. I think they are ALL fabulous

Lin said...

YEAH -- IT'S FIXED -- AWESOME, LINDA!! LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE!

Wendee said...

What beautiful work. The Queen Anne's Lace looks so lovely, especially in the second painting. Thanks for sharing both!

Carma said...

couldn't find your e-mail address
but here is the CD of the Bach cello suites that I own...you can get it on amazon if you shop online...I do! Hope you enjoy it!
Let me know

http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Cello-Suites-Nos-1-6/dp/B000002RUY/sr=8-2/qid=1170252561/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/002-5683230-2358427?ie=UTF8&s=music

Witness said...

This is beautiful! I just keep looking at it thinking about the process and how you did it. Very nice!!

Anonymous said...

I'm blissfully unaware of value probably because I could never get it right. You really got the silver here and I like both versions of the queen anne.

caseytoussaint said...

Even though you said not to check for an update I did, and not having been around for awhile I discovered these beautiful pieces I hadn't seen. With 22 former comments I can't add much, but I really enjoyed my visit!

Anonymous said...

I love how you post things in progress. Your reflections on the metal are wonderful.

Unknown said...

I was really taken with your pastel drawing of the silver coffee service- it's just lovely! And your second picture of the queen anne's lace is amazing! What a gorgeous painting!