Sunday, May 15, 2011

the painting loft

 
(7x11)
Have you visited the Painting Loft? I painted this from a reference photo posted there. I have tried magnolias many times ... I just love the overlapping, cupping petals, and of course the color.
The dark background caused me some frustration. I have a hard enough time with darks,but this paper--Winsor & Newton--was most uncooperative: the paint just kept being absorbed, wash after wash, leaving little white pinpricks and a dull surface.
I took what W&N paper I had left straight out to the trash!
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11 comments:

Diana said...

hi Laura, I like your painting. I think it's a tulip tree or what we here call tulip trees.. I love them too.. I've never painted one .. I think you did a beautiful job, I love your looseness and your style. take care, Love Diana

RH Carpenter said...

Lovely work in spite of some frustrating paper, Laura :) I think the blossoms in the bg really make it interesting and you've got good, clean colors in the flowers.

irinapictures said...

I like the colors so much, the tenderness of spring flower is all here.

Joyfulartist said...

I'm with you, I don't like W&N paper either. I guess I'm used to Arches and the way it works. I love your magnolias and I'm going to check out your photo reference site. Thanks for sharing.

Carol Blackburn said...

Your magnolias are beautiful, Laura. Have you ever tried painting on Aquabord? It's thin MDF board coated with a clay that acts like a fine watercolor paper. I bought a 9x12 piece because it was on sale and only a few dollars and keep staring at it. I don't know what to paint on it yet and I think I feel a bit intimidated by the size. Do you know about Aquabord?

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laura,

It's amazing. Just gorgeous. I feel the same way about Magnolias. Next time send that paper right up to Toronto. I'm sure I could use it somehow. Although I really like Arches.

XOBarbara

Autumn Leaves said...

Well, you sure got a beautiful end result, despite the W&N paper issues, Laura. But then again, I am a sucker for your watercolors. This is truly lovely!

debwardart said...

This turned out well, even with your paper frustration; that's a good thing to let us know if we want to experiment with paper. Every time I do, I still revert back to Arches or Fabriano!

AtelierBrigitte said...

Beautiful piece - love the dark color in the back, really brings the flowers towards you.

A Brush with Color said...

Ooooh, Laura, these blossoms are beautiful. I love the colors here--remind me a lot of the painting of yours I bought and hung in my office at work. I think of you every time I look at it.

Janine said...

I love your loose, free, watery style. You have mastered the art of watercolor painting.