Monday, June 27, 2011

floral gestures workshop, day one

(5x7)
I'm back from a wonderful two-day workshop with Jackie Saunders.
When we walked into the studio there were buckets and buckets of fresh flowers: Jackie very sensibly had us start by spending the morning painting individual flowers, looking at their shapes and colors. The peonies were gorgeous, but I especially enjoyed the snapdragons--I wound up painting all types of flowers I would never think of even trying to paint and learned that an arrangement needn't be beautiful or perfect to produce a good painting.
 (11x15 sheet)


(5x7)
I experienced a little exasperation with my Fabriano hot press paper, which was much too "soft" and didn't really allow me to do much adjusting or moving of the paint once I'd put it down. (The next day I used a piece of Shelby's Arches hot press, which was much better.)
In the afternoon we made small arrangements. Jackie emphasized that we should move from one flower to another making connections, allowing the colors to fuse. Her demonstrations were inspiring and really made everyone paint enthusiastically!
Jackie also teaches life drawing and I really hope to take a life class with her sometime.




(7x11)


16 comments:

Vicki Holdwick said...

I can only see one of the paintings, but it is wonderful!

I hope to be able to do watercolor like that some day.

xoxo

Carol Blackburn said...

My favorite is the second one from the bottom with those deep purple flowers.

RH Carpenter said...

Gorgeous flowers, Laura! I can tell you were excited about these as you painted them - there is just something about a workshop that gives you more impetus to succeed and try :)

Carol said...

Wonderful!

Zoe, ontheroad said...

Looks like the workshop was a huge success as your work looks terrific.

Curious if you found the colour palette worked for you? Some of the choices surprised by their inclusion and exclusion. :)

Barbra Joan said...

Laura, flowers! my favorites!
and you've done them justice, the colors sing.. really !! thnx for the visit.. I've not been posting or painting as much , but I always keep tabs on you and what your doing..
hugs,, BJ

Rosemary said...

I love your watercolors Laura! And the watercolor journals are fantastic! So inspiring.

Thanks!

Cynthia Schelzig said...

Your flowers look fabulous!!

cathyswatercolors said...

Lucky you,workshop fun. Your flowers are lively with great colors.

BARBARA WEEKS said...

Gorgeous is the word!

shl said...

You'll know what I mean:

I TOLD you so!

Judybec said...

my word Laura! these are so juicy!!! what a wonderful workshop this must have been. I especially love the color combination of your last one. nice!

A Brush with Color said...

Laura, these are fantastic! I can see you enjoying yourself here. You're in your element. Wonderful colors and soft washes.

Maria's Watercolor said...

Wow, such great color in all of these!

Autumn Leaves said...

I love each of these pieces! I can almost feel your enthusiasm for painting these beauties too. There is something so bright about your watercolors and that keeps me coming back again and again to enjoy your work, Laura!

Blaga said...

Lovely flower paintings! Looking at them makes me want to pull out the brushes and start painting. The snapdragon is gorgeous!