Wednesday, June 29, 2011

my little backdrop

 
(7x11)
I was always reluctant to paint my black cat, Smilla--too many nuances in that black ... until it occurred to me: forget the nuance, just make a shape. She's turned out to be the perfect backdrop for florals! 

 
(11x15)
Smilla's next assignment: backdrop for white roses.


 
(4x6)
Inspired by Cynthia of Galerie46's all-yellow palette, I've decided to begin making a study of yellow. I'm very comfortable with the red-violet to blue-green spectrum, but not so much with yellow, which I always think of as "difficult." But yellow is so important: when you choose the right one, on its own or to mix, it's so gorgeous; choose the wrong one ... yuck. I am going to make a concerted effort to learn my yellows. 
And, for my New Mexico trip in October, I bought Daniel Smith's quinacridone set, which, with a couple of additions (mixes made with quinacridones), I'm going to put in two of Cheap Joe's "piggyback" palettes, one for me, and one for Robin, so we can play around with them.
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14 comments:

Carol Blackburn said...

Beautifully done, Laura.

A Brush with Color said...

You are really cooking, woman! I love all of these. So smart to just use that wonderful black shape and accent the flowers the way you have here. And I can't wait to see what you do with the yellows--they look great here on the page. I always think yellows are difficult, too, but I think what I really mean is it's not their fault; it's just that I'm not good with yellows.

Barbra Joan said...

oh Laura, what's better than this?
I'd love to try and paint my Jenny who is also all black , but seems like a challenge.. you've done well with yours... It inspires me to try! BJ

Diana said...

She is wonderful with the flowers but I think it's your painting of her. I love your flowers so lovely and flowing! beautiful!! Diana

marnold said...

The cat's meow. And those green cat eyes. Super.

Teri said...

Your cat as a backdrop is a stroke of genius! Gorgeous!!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Laura,

Love the kitty. I have a black cat too, and I completely know what you mean, but he's snuck into my paintings one way and another.

Super painting.

XO Barbara

Autumn Leaves said...

Smilla is indeed the perfect backdrop for your beautiful florals. I am excited to see the white roses piece!

RH Carpenter said...

And I bet Smilla has been telling you this for years - perfect! Looking forward to seeing your studies with yellow (something I need, too, but may learn second hand from your work?).

shl said...

But all the nuances are THERE--she's the ESSENCE of herself on paper, as if she's saying: "We know what this painting is REALLY about!"

Can't wait to see drawing painted!

debwardart said...

Just darling! You will love the DS colors - you may be hooked for life! I don't find yellow hard, my nemesis is green!

Sadami said...

Hi, Laura,
Sooooo beautiful!!
Thank U for sharing.
Cheers,Sadami

Cynthia Schelzig said...

Love how you incorporated your darling cat Smilla into your piece.
and ohhhh boy...thanks for the little "plug",,,I needed that:) Your yellow swatches look great too!

Anonymous said...

reminds me I really need to do the same. I just sold a painting all in antwerp blue, I just love that blue" and I've tried yellow flowers and love them, but it might be fun to do an all yellow painting. thanks for the idea. Love your art so much, the lighthouses to kittycats
peace n abundance,
CheyAnne
http://cheyannesexton.etsy.com
http://paintingthesouthwest.com