Its' a Wrap!

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Primroses in Watercolour

 Wrapping up flowers. Literally!

 It is freezing outside today so painting in my garden wasn't really an attractive option. I don't enjoy my hands being cold! But luckily I spent ages observing primroses yesterday so I am working on several studies in my studio and as always having fun with colour.

I have three paintings on the go. All washes and all very different even though the subject matter is the same. because I am enjoying them so much I just had to share on line too.

Firstly I have created negative edges for  the flowers as my starting point. I am keeping them in clusters of yellow and surrounding these with a variety of backgrounds.

  

Primrose clusters as first washes on my easel

Most of the primroses in my garden are in woodland spots but a few have planted themselves by self seeding amongst the flower beds. I love happy accidents where ever they are, so if they happen in washes on watercolour paper or appear in my garden I leave them and enjoy them!

I love how these creamy yellow flowers  seem to nestle in the leaves  around them. And the leaves themselves are also fascinating in that they are perfect for using the "wrap" technique to create all those fussy little wrinkles and crinkles!

 Primrose wash with cling film applied to the foreground whilst the wash was still wet, to create the intricate patterns for the leaves.

Using a mix of unusual colours like pink or violet instead of just green gives a fabulous sensation of warmth and add interest. ,every one else paints green leaves so why should we? 

Be unique!

Artist Tip: Never remove the cling wrap until the pigment and  paper is absolutely dry.

Three paintings on the go.

Interestingly the painting on the far right of the easel was painted in my garden whilst my hands were freezing cold. Note the small flowers, neat edges and almost tight result? Now I am in my warm studio I am loosening up far more easily!

N.B. There are primrose washes on my first DVD "Amazing Ways with Watercolour" which can be purchased from Townhouse Films

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Experimental Flowers : Primroses

Primroses leaping out of an exciting varied wash.

Last night I had a dream about a painting. I know I have been eagerly looking forward to seeing the first primroses in my garden and must admit, that while I was in Spain  I did wonder how many flowers would be out in my garden on my return. I particularly love the clusters of pale lemon primroses which bring back so many memories from my childhood. I would walk in woodlands then in Wales . Even as a little girl  I fell in love  with their form and beauty.

So I suppose it wasn't surprising that I dreamt about a painting of them.  But the painting wasn't in my usual style. It was dark and almost antiqu elooking. The composition was of a cluster hit by a ray of light. But the flowers looked as though they were almost tumbling down a mossy bank.  I was so happy when I woke today and walked my dog Bailey because I came across a beautiful cluster, sat in very green moss. Against the dull,dark background of woodland on a grey day they looked just like the floral painting in my dream.

Which is why this morning I started a painting allowing colour to flow in the direction of light. I left two main flowers to be the stars of the show, as focal points. Then half hid the other primroses  in shadow by softening their edges. The first wash was yellow and pink with hints of Indigo. I then used Indigo again to make an outline around the negative shape of my primroses. By adding water to encourage colour flow, this  addition of pigment as a layer  interacted well with the yellow to give me soft green effects for hints of leaves. I stopped at this stage because I like it so much as it is but it does need further touches.

But one experiment will often lead to another and as the image in my dream was so dark and vivid I worked on another wash. This is a different composition but I am still working on the tumbling effect seen in my dream. If you observe this second wash you may see more texture in the dark foreground? This was achieved by using ink, allowing it to intermingle with the still damp watercolour pigments. I like it but have to admit this can't be classed as a pure watercolour in my eyes. As soon as the ink was added I would  have to claim it to be mixed media. Although I know many artists may disgree.

Primrose Wash. Watercolour and Ink

The excitement of experimenting is something we all should enjoy and as regularly as we can. If we worked in exactly the same way each time we picked up our brushes we could be denying an element of fun and freshness to seep into our results. So I have two paintings, one with slightly more defintion of the flowers. One with less definition and ink textural effects.

Now I want to paint a third composition and combine the two ideas a little. By the way, everyone has views on what is and what isn't watercolour. For me if a product says watercolour on the tube,then that is what it is. And the challenge of working with just that, to see what I can create is absolutely magical!

Happy Painting!

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Primroses by Chris Odell

"Promise Of Spring"

by Chris Odell 

This morning I have had time to look through the wonderful watercolours of primroses sent to me following my primrose step by step on my blog. What is absolutely wonderful is that each painting is completely unique and shining in the artists own personality. I would love to share them all but sadly as I am working on exhibitions at the moment I haven't the time.

Many paintings stood out. I loved Michaels from Australia, these were  painted with a beautiful blue background that somehow made the yellow of the flowers sing even more. Then there was a gentle flow of colour from Judith Farnworth from UK, she has such a soft touch with watercolour and my heads up is that she is an artist to watch for the future.

But for today I am going to share a painting from artist, Chris Odell. I actually met Chris on my workshops so I am familair with her style and approach. Why has this painting caught my eye? That is a question I often ask myself when attending exhibitions because sometimes a painting will pull you back time and time again which is the sign of a successful result. If I  had to describe this primrose composition, my favourite part is the obvious but at the same time subtle flow throughout the piece creating a connection through the colour, flowers and sections of the composition. I love the textural effects for the leaves. I adore the softness of the colour used and there is excellent hard and soft edge contrasts throughout. There is also a slightly abstract effect but with strong realism preventing this being classed as such. It has so many elements that I love and makes me want to see more from the artist. And that is the key. Leaving the viewer to want to see more of your work.

Thank you so much Chris for agreeing to allow me to share your painting on my blog.

There is something important in the art world that I believe many artists often miss. Especially professional artists at the top of their career. And that is the need to look around you and admire what other artists are creating. You cannot have an ego when you realise you are a tiny cog in a huge wheel, and everyone else is not only as good as, but often are far better at painting than you. This puts me nicely in my place as to where I am in my own career. Loving every day knowing I still have so much to learn but what I have learnt I will give away to others so that they too can enjoy it.

Thank you for  all the primrose paintings sent to me.  I hope to share more so if you havent emailed yours yet please do. let sget primrose paintings from all over the world  here!

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Primroses in Watercolour : Further Exercises

Working from Negative Shapes.

In my latest book there is a chapter called " Positive Negativity ". I always believe strongly in postive thinking and I also love surrounding myself with positive people. There are times in life when we are legitimately allowed to feel low. But negative thinking in many ways can be so destructive. So from the beginning of every painting, please  try to feel positive about your results.  I should say this works not just in painting but in life too!

My last blog post on my step by step with primroses was for painting positive shapes. Now I want you to cover a scrap of paper with the shades you painted your primrose flowers in. Hopefully you have found great primrose shades that work well for you. My wash of colour is mainly diluted Cadmium Yellow.

Flowers shapes exercise next to a scrap of paper with  yellow painted on it.

Please let the yellow wash dry thoroughly.

Next stage?

Paint  the outline of a few flowers but be careful. You need to work colour around the flowers quickly before the line dries! The flower shapes don't have to be perfect at this stage.  They are just  giving you and idea of where you are going to place them and helping you practise your technique.

Negative outline for primroses

Now for the fun part! Add green quickly to surroundyour primroses and if you need to, now is the time to correct some of the petal shapes so that they do indeed look like primroses.

 

My background wash building up around the primroses  leaving negative shapes with  gorgeous creamy yellow colour for the flowers

If you study the image above you will see I have some detailed edges and some petal edges are blurred? These are called soft and hard edges and bring life to subjects in watercolour.

Now we need to allow this stage to dry and then we can add the centres from the previous blog post. If you want to, you can add leaves but please wait until you have painted the flowers first.

My last post  on this step by step will be tomorrow!

It is so much fun sharing my passion for watercolour on my blog. Thank you so much to every one who has been so kind sending me emails letting me know how much this step by step is being enjoyed. Maybe I can share seasonal step by steps throughout the year so we all have something to look forward to!

I hope to share a few primrose paintings by you on my blog so please email them to me when the step by step is complete!

Primroses Step by Step : Colour Choices and materials.

 Watercolour Shades for painting primroses in watercolour

I am hoping everyone reading my blog is eager to paint primroses and as promised  this opening post is to discuss which products I use.

One of the main hiccups I find when taking workshops is the manic race for everyone attending to start painting straight away! Often artists look at a white piece of paper and rush to cover it with colour without even seriously thinking of their subject or how they are going to capture it really well. They just want to paint and go for it at the stage when thinking really is the most  beneficial option!nd 

Tip 1. Always start a painting with mental colour options.

Studying a subject to choose the best colours to portray it is vitally important. Over the years I have painted so many floral pieces and as any botanical artist will tell you if the colour isn't right,  no matter how beautiful your result , your painting won't  really tell the true story of the flower you are painting. So please take your time at this stage to get everything absolutely right.

First, choose the colour for your main subject,in this case the primroses, and then we can look at background colour options for contrast. Finding the right yellow isn't easy because if you study a primrose they are not really yellow at all! They are a beautiful soft creamy lemon shade and I always see hints of delicate turquoise in the petals. Does any watercolour manufacturer make a perfect colour match for this yellow? Or is it easier to mix our own shades? I would love to know your favourite  choices.

I used to always mix my own colour for ALL subjects but now I am having fun trying out new products by a variety of manufacturers. For this exercise I can really recommend "Scminke  Jaune Brilliant Dark".  I know everyone is going to think, "oh no, I need to buy a new colour" but this one is so gorgeous to use for all kinds of subjects, not just flowers, so it is well worth getting.

Alternatively you can try Winsor & Newton Lemon Yellow but it isn't the same!

Paper? I always use heavy weight paper but for this exercise I am happy working on Bockingford 140lbs weight. Rough or Smooth surface. For flowerr I usually use a smooth surface. Once you have made a few fantastic  paintings with great results move to a better weight like Arches.

Nice clean water pots are essential!

Brushes? I am working  with my personalised brush sets. My size 10 sable for all the main work but my rigger for last minute details like the flower centres.  

http://www.jeanhaines.com/shop?id_group=5

 I mentioned   choosing  background colours to contrast and we need to " Think Spring" in this piece. Opera Rose will give a lovely glow but I am opting for Cerulean Blue for the sky and upper background, for the lower  background I will use Winsor Violet . French Ultramarine  and the Cerulean Blue mixed with my yellow will give me gorgeous green shades but we won't be mixing these in the palette! I could use a small amount of Turquoise too but will see how things progress!

So now you should have everything you need, and next we start the washes. Yes, I do mean washes because I want you to paint more than one!

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I am going to add to this step by step daily and hopefully you will be able to email me some fantastic   painting images when this tutorial is finished. The best I intend to share on my blog.

Autumn Primroses

Primroses appearing in a first wash.

Cling Film is used  to create texture for leaves in the foreground.

I wandered around my garden again today and am amazed at how many flowers from all seasons seem to be enjoying the Autumn weather this year. I couldn't resist a few paintings of primroses because I know I eagerly wait for them to show their heads in Spring.  I am seeing so many golden leaves so the foreground in this painting will be autumnal. In my woodland I can see these beautiful  lemon flowers peeping through fallen oak leaves that have already turned gold.The colour combinations are incredible and far too good for this artist to miss as an opportunity to move my brushes.

I am very much inspired by the floral work of Madame Blanch Odin and living in France gave me time to admire her passion for watercolour.Whenever I paint flowers she is always on my mind. I doubt I will ever capture their beauty as she did but my aim is to keep trying!

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Spring Fever 2011: Primroses in Watercolour

The First Signs of Spring 2011

 The first primroses of 2011

 On my retrun from Asia I was taken aback to see the first primroses in bloom in my garden. I look forward each year to painting Spring flowers as they always bring an exciting burst of colour and life into the countryside after months of wintery bleak scenes.

Yesterday I had a meeting with a gallery in the morning and set off walking to my car trying  so hard to avoid looking at the primroses that my heart was literally screaming to paint. I had important appointments which  prevented me from racing to my brushes. However I could see the painting of them  in mind all the time that I was away from my studio.

Matching colour  with the real subject.

But my return home after the meeting saw me playing with colour to capture the milky  pale yellow hues of these early spring flowers. Last year I had so much pleasure painting clusters of primroses using cling film  to create the intricate veins on the leaves surrounding the blooms. It was so successful as a technique that I repeated the process in my first 2011 primrose painting.

 Primroses  cluster  evolving with cling film  in two sections to form leaf patterns and extra interest.

Strengthening the colour  to define  individual flowers

The paper is still wet in this photograph

Removing the cling film when the paper is dry. Unusual patterns have formed which act as a base for  the leaves in further stages.

Close up of  pattern created by use of cling film.

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This is such a magical time to be an artist as colour and light changes significantly  on a daily basis. But each season is short so it is essential to capture every subject for the time it is on show for us from nature.

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Watercolour With Life Spring 2011 Workshops and Demonstrations

We will be looking at techniques to bring a number of  subjects to life with unusual and exciting results that are totally unique.  I look forward to meeting everyone this year and wish this to be the best year ever for the most magical of paintings!

February 2011  will see me in Norwich and Hampshire, U.K.