Monday 18 July 2011

Climbing clematis



Our son, Pete, has an amazing clematis plant in his garden
which is growing up a piece of trellis.  I've taken a couple of photos of it





and it really is this amazing colour
(I promise I haven't used an outside source to enhance it).
Now, that really is an amazing colour, which I have tried to do a painting of.  Infact, 3 paintings each with a different style.  I know which version I prefer, so it will be interesting to get some feedback and see what others think.  They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.....and like so many things I would expect varying opinions on this, all down to personal preferences and styles.


So here's the first one:


Not exactly a botanical painting!, but an enjoyable exercise which made me look closely at the flower - it's shape, then the shape of each petal, the colour (difficult to get exactly right, but who does) and again waiting for the paint to dry before putting on a second wash of the same colour.   

Note: I have found that when putting on a second wash of colour you need to ensure the first wash is completely dry - or you get the inevitable 'bloom' as it dries.  To help combat this, (especially if you are not sure whether the first wash has totally dried throughout), if you make your second wash of colour less watery and with more intense pigment then 'most times' you can avoid the 'bloom'.  The reason this helps is because the second wash of paint is 'heavier' than the first.

As with all paintings, it is sometimes  just trial and error, influences such as room temperature, type of paper used, even  the make of paints can have differing results.  So I would say, try out some colours on different papers and also at different times of the year - it can all help to understanding 'your own work' and the 'way you personally want to work'......

and since I am going on about the paints these are the colours I have used in all 3 paintings:

SAA - Cadmium Orange
SAA - French Ultramarine
SAA - Sap Green
and
Cotman Winsor & Newton - Dioxazine Violet

I've set them out here plus the brushes I used:






and the second painting:

 
A little looser in this version and can you see the 'bloom' at the bottom of the painting (no pun intended!).  On this occasion I was quite happy for this to happen, as sometimes it helps with the overall effect.


and the third:



A much looser style - lots of water used here.  Again, I waited for the first layer to completely dry before adding to it, but dropped in extra shades of these colours to draw the eye to the top of the painting, where the viewer can journey their way around the painting : and 'work out' the story of this flower.




I hope you have enjoyed this and
look forward to your thoughts!







11 comments:

Judy said...

First of all, what a fabulous colour clematis to brighten up this rainy Monday!
Thanks for the information about your painting process. I've learned to wait for the first layer to completely dry, being very impatient by nature. ;-) But I like to use "blooms" to my advantage.
I am not sure which one I like best, nr. 2 of nr. 3.
Happy Monday! Judy.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hi Judy, I get the same trouble with waiting for paint to dry....I practically have to sit on my hands! Glad you like the 3 versions (I had trouble deciding which one I liked best too)!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful clematis! My later ones are tending towards "summer pudding " colours but this one is just great.
Of the three paintings-I know I would paint the flowers in the same style as picture 1,but I really like the hints and essence of clematis in picture 3. Great to see how you work.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Thank you Judith...I think my preferred is No. 3, but not sure if it looks like an 'incomplete' painting!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful colour clematis. No. 3, I really like. No. 1 is just beautifull and No. 2 was too wet, I think.

Sadami said...

Hi,Ann,
It seems you had a great fun. Keep up your cheerful work and humorous posts, which makes our world happier.
Cheers,Sadami

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hi Renske, Thank you so much for your thoughts on the paintings...I agree No. 2 is too wet....ann.


Hi Sadami, Glad you like my posts, I enjoy writing them and doing the paintings and sketches.....ann.

robin cox walsh said...

WOW! The color of the Clematis is A-MA-ZING! Nature never fails to blow my mind!
I love reading about your process and reasoning behind it. I think I like No. 3 the best. I always like your loose ones best.
(Patience is NOT my long suit either! LOL Waiting for the first layer to dry is like torture!)

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hi Robin, I'm hoping to continue some of these loose paintings with a view to framing some. Your comments have helped encourage me, cheers.

bohemiannie! art said...

I love all three but I like the first one best! Clematis is one of my very favorite flowers. I grew them...in profusion...in Virginia along a trellis at the foot of my entry stairs. I had that exact shade of purple and white.

ann @ studiohyde said...

Hi Annie, I love that colour too!