You see, it's like this. I knew early on in the painting that it wasn't going to work. I am not a flower painter and so admire people who have that delicacy of touch. So in I goes, no tracedown for this challenge. Wasn't happy with the colour, not having many pinky colours in my repertoire! Working on smaller paper (for me) A4 so smaller brushes (thinking of that poor horse in the stable waiting to be painted - another of Sharon's Challenges) oh dear me. I couldn't control the paint. Nothing going right. Decided to woosh in with the background and make it dark to make the naff flowers stand out. Too dark! Added salt, more colours, kitchen sink, cuddly toy. Left it overnight.
.jpg)
Gordon Bennet! Or words to that effect I used the following morning and immediately began the highly technical technique of, wait for it ................ washing out. Too many staining colours. Well I sank into deeper fits of depression. Only one thing I could think of to attempt. Dewdrops. Yep probably the best thing I did but too big and not enough. End of story.
Wonder if I will let the horse out of the stable to paint?
If you'd like to have a go at one of Sharon's monthly Challenges, go to her blog
sharonwhitleytheramblingartist and browse her site, look at her paintings which are superb and follow her travels in the mountains and her wonderful photo's of breathtaking views.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Gosh do I know those days Polly when things just don't go right. We all get them. Great attempt at a really hard subject.
ReplyDeleteWhat are you doing on the internet at this time, you should be painting a masterpiece! Thanks for the encouragement, you are good! Have a lovely day.
DeleteIt's a difficult subject, you did well! Your commentary was funny too... :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. I told it like it really was. Hope you're having a nice weekend.
DeletePolly , I see no disaster here, actually I think it is quite pretty...and I enjoyed the reading !
ReplyDeleteThanks for being so kind and glad you enjoyed my thoughts.
DeleteIts a shame when one part of a painting displeases you, a feeling we all know so well. Your flowers are actually very well formed and I too had a laugh at your thoughts on all this. Not sure I will attempt the horse myself this time around but then again I had never tried the foxglove until Sharon posted the challenge
ReplyDeleteThanks for saying they were well formed. Makes me feel some of it worked after all. I'm risking the horse, perhaps today. Help!!!
DeleteI think you are too hard on yourself Polly. I like the painting, both before and after you washed out the background. Good for you for painting something out of your comfort zone. I think you did a great job.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouragement. Perhaps it wasn't so awful. I do like being challenged.
DeleteI think the flowers came out really nice. I liked the contrast between the dark background and the flowers, but after seeing the way you changed it, I think the softened background is less distracting. Not every painting works out the way we planned. lol
ReplyDeleteOh thanks for your comments. Since this fiasco I am trying more flowers, still not my cup of tea though.
DeleteNot every painting turns out the way you planned - and don't I know it - your story of painting the foxgloves bears a striking similarity to my painting of the horse - washed out the background, started again, messed with the horse too much, added gouach, acrylic etc etc in an attempt to rescue until until I just left it as is - but now looking at it with fresh eyes I'm thinking it's not so bad - and I hope you'll feel the same for your foxgloves - you still see all the 'disasters' you had with it - the rest of us see a lovely painting of foxgloves - and I too like it with both backgrounds and agree that the flowers are well painted - I still haven't done mine yet eeeeekkk!!!! Thank you for the link to my blog as well, really kind of you - now get that horse out of it's stable lol!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh Sharon we have gone through the mill haven't we. Yet others see something we don't. Blogging has really given me a lift, as my painting was in the doldrums for a while, and actually your challenge is making think try things that I sweep under the carpet. Oh and by the way, the horse is out of his stable and posing this very day!
DeleteI think it's lovely - both ways. Maybe set it aside for a while. I bet you'll like it better after not seeing it for a time :-)
ReplyDeleteGood idea, will do that instead of putting it in the drawer.
DeleteHave attempted this myself now and agree not an easy subject... but this is a lot better than you give yourself credit for and lots to take forward...I believe we can all paint anything so if you would like to paint flowers...go for it and practice painting flowers!!
ReplyDeletebeautiful flowers, always a joy to sit and paint, these are among my very faves, lovely pics...
ReplyDeleteI don't like painting flowers, so this really was a challenge. Unfortunately my teacher has decided that I should paint some more!!!!
DeleteYou silly! They are beautiful. You are far to critical on your self. I loved the first version better than the second one. I have to agree on the second one: the dewdrops. Perfect. Nothing wrong with the paintings Polly!!!
ReplyDelete