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Monday, July 26, 2010

Sunflowers~Working Out A Palette

This was my experiment using colored pencils. I made notes, jotting down which color combos I liked and seemed to work well together. I have to write everything down these days because my memory has become a tea strainer.

Here I've done my best to match the CP colors with watercolor. I think I've finally got a plan now. I found a gold metallic colored pencil I forgot I had so I added that over the w/c in a few places as a possible accent.

Did you think I got lost? I did...for awhile. After several attempts (and as many failures) to settle on a palette I hit a brick wall. I couldn't seem to work out a palette for the sunflowers that excited me. My new favorite color is DS Quin. violet and I wanted to work this color into the painting somehow. Nick Simmons suggested I take a look at the work of Jimmy Wright . Wright paints amazing sunflowers in pastel and uses unusual color combinations. I also took out photos I'd taken in my gardens and browsed through those for inspiration. Last night I finally got out my 120 ct. set of Prismacolor colored pencils, printed out a copy of my line drawing and just played. I came up with a palette I really like so the next challenge was to match the CP colors to watercolor. I think I've succeeded.

I plan to do a smaller version of the painting first. I have a 12" x 18" block of Fabriano HP w/c paper I can use. I was disappointed to learn a nearby store no longer carries certain art supplies so I will have to order my full sheets online. I can't understand why, with all the artists in the area, that we don't have a decent art supply outlet. }:( The nearest is a day trip away, especially in summer when traffic is ridiculous. Griping over..........

8 comments:

maggie said...

Ya know Billie,...I could get old waiting for this painting.....LOL

Billie Crain said...

C'mon, Margaret...it hasn't even been a month yet. You can't rush a masterpiece.:D

maggie said...

True, true...look at me..it's taken me 50 years to get to my devine'ness(my own word).

Jeanette Jobson said...

I love the prep that's going into this piece Billie. I know it will be superb.

You know I've never done a sunflower - then again you know me and my flower fear. :) Perhaps we need a sunflower challenge for the early fall...

My God, I'll be broke ordering paints from DS. I always see something there that I want. Here too, availability is hopeless for supplies and its supposed to be a 'thriving arts community'. I guess they don't want us to thrive too much.

Keep going, the colours in this will be wonderful.

"JeanneG" said...

They always say the mind is the first to go. I have to write everything down too but then lose the paper. I'm especially lethal with grocery lists. Fun to watch how you work.

Billie Crain said...

'devine'ness'...good word, Maggie! Can I borrow it sometime?

Billie Crain said...

I've already got a few ideas for more sunflowers, Jeanette. A challenge would be fun, IMO.

Billie Crain said...

I swear...my brain is turning to pudding, Jeanne. I do remember my grocery list, tho. Otherwise I'd get home with too many groceries and nothing to make a meal.