Wednesday, June 15, 2011

WsIP

 
(detail)




 There are a lot of white lilies in bloom in my yard right now and I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try to paint them! I decided to use the pattern from a pair of capri pants for the background (yes, I love to wear flowered pants). First I drew the lilies in lead pencil; then I realized I'd be very confused if I also drew the fabric pattern in pencil and drew it instead with an ochre watercolor pencil ... I still got confused, but not so much!
In my house everything is blue--blue and white, blue and beige, blue and brown--but I really like the black-white-green color scheme here.

And, below, I began to try out a photo I took at the Ocean City Arts Center--a little girl waiting for her music lesson. This WIP, I think, points up the problems inherent in taking not-so-good photos: without a strong source of light, even though the subject appeals to me so much, I feel adrift. I should do it again after rethinking and re-creating the light.
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11 comments:

Melanie said...

love the lily's... great idea to use that pattern and the different colored pencil (wish i'd thought of that!). I like black/white/green too... can't wait to see the finished product!

shl said...

I know the "Capri" lilies will be lovely when finished, but the painting has something wonderful semiabstract just as posted now!

Autumn Leaves said...

I love the piece that is posted last. I can't wait to see it finished! And the piece you are working on now? It is absolutely amazing and will be stunning when finished! I also like the palette and the fact that you wear flowered pants. If I was smaller, I'd do that in a heartbeat!

Cliff said...

l, love the dark background... please post the finished piece!

Carol Blackburn said...

Laura, your lillies are coming out beautifully. Can't wait to see the finished piece. Enjoy your day!

Teresa said...

You've got a great start on this.. and I love the idea of using a fabric background for the flowers! How creative you are :-)

Ann Buckner said...

The lily's are coming along beautifully.

Barbra Joan said...

Oh yes, Laura your a flowered capri pants kind of girl LOL !
the painting is coming along nicely , will look back when it's finished... BJ

Robin@TheNatureCoast said...

hey, I recognize those capris :) The contrast between the flowers and the boldness of the capri pattern works nicely. Thanks for the tips about using different / watercolor pencil also.

RH Carpenter said...

Beautiful start on the Capri Lilies :) And I'm smiling to think you have surrounded yourself with so much blue - I knew there was another reason why I liked you beside your artwork :) And I'll forgive you the flowered pants. ha ha
I think you may be able to still fudge the girl waiting painting by faking light shining from behind her and then darkening everything else a lot more? Wouldn't hurt to try, I guess. I know what you mean about photos that don't have good light on them once you get them in the studio and try to paint it doesn't convey what you felt at the scene.

A Brush with Color said...

I like the colors here, too--so pretty! Love the softness of the painting of the little girl, too! And that's a subject that would have appealed to me as well. Good eye!