Welcome to Polly's Blog

Welcome to Polly's Blog
Watercolour, humour, this and that

Sunday, 5 May 2013

BATTLING WITH LILAC

Was getting too confident that I was getting into painting flowers until I tried to paint this Lilac, now I know why I have avoided flowers for so long. A little success went to my head!  Took me ages, ages and more ages to get to this not yet finished, but can't face it ever again, stage!  There is a lot of mud here!!!!!!! However, it looks better on tinternet but will am posting it to show that I really have tried ever so hard and am, for once, determined to try another flower, BUT another day.


Also, yesterday, I tried out some new brushes, which feel so different. I played safe cos I wanted to spend time practising and for speed traced (with tracedown) some children I had done once before, but this time I had them playing marbles (do children still play marbles I wonder or is it one of those health and safety worries). Anyone remember their marbles.  I had a lovely collection.


Have a wonderful Bank Holiday.
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22 comments:

  1. Judy5 May 2013 at 01:36

    The lilac is beautiful, Polly!!

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  2. Lorraine Brown5 May 2013 at 01:36

    Well Polly I don't see mud in your lilac painting, it has the makings of something good as it has a lovely feel to it, I cannot paint people so admire those that do, funny I was never any good at marbles either!

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    1. Polly Birchall5 May 2013 at 06:29

      Believe me there is mud there. I've had enough of the painting for now. I was pretty good at merps but kept loosing them down grids.

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  3. Sue Clinker5 May 2013 at 02:30

    And there was me thinking you'd lost your marbles Polly LOL


    The lilac looks lovely to me and the children picture is very nostalgic ... but just what is the little boy doing to make those splashes???

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    1. Polly Birchall5 May 2013 at 06:31

      I have lost my marbles!!! Help. Oh, Sue, only you would make me look twice at the splashy boy, and yes it does make one wonder what on earth he is up to !!!!!!!!

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  4. Pat5 May 2013 at 02:46

    I love your lilac! Don't see any mud at all !
    Don't leave flowers behind, you are good at them :) x

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    1. Polly Birchall5 May 2013 at 06:32

      Thanks Pat. It's very muddy at the bottom, although I used mainly transparent colours. I intend to tackle Lilies of the Valley next, fingers crossed for me.

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  5. Catharina Engberg5 May 2013 at 03:08

    Oh I would LOVE to see more of flowers too, because this flowerpainting I think is beautyful!! Don´t stop painting flowers, PLEASE! And I do NOT see any of that mud here!? This unfinished feeling of flowerpainting that is so gorgeous is something that I have a very hard time to make. I always overdo my paintings! So I think you should feel very happy about actually succeding with it! And those kids are lovely, the boy jumping in the water with the splashes of water and the other kids. I´m jealous, I just can´t paint peolple very good. They only end up looking like made out of wood or something. So nice to see your post! Keep it up! Take care till next time my friend! :)

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    1. Polly Birchall5 May 2013 at 06:36

      Oh Catharina, how kind of you to say such lovely things about my flower painting. Perhaps it is finished. I have just drawn some Lily of the Valley to try next. Hope I don't lose my temper with this one! I painted these children once before but had to trace them using tracedown paper, I always give people big heads! Thank you for your encouragement, I do appreciate it. You take care too.

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  6. Jane5 May 2013 at 11:16

    What a pity with this lilac , it is looking really good, don't you think you could somehow finish it ? There is no mud at all, just excellent values ! Also great your painting with the children playing marbles ! ...No, I don't think marbles are high on the hitlist lately :-)

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    1. Polly Birchall5 May 2013 at 12:29

      Maybe one day. It is going in the box with my other paintings for now! But thanks for saying it looks good. I wonder if I could make a game of marbles for tablets, could make a fortune. Wishful thinking only I'm afraid.

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  7. JANE MINTER5 May 2013 at 13:27

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. JANE MINTER5 May 2013 at 13:28

    hi polly ... looks very beautiful to me ..you're too close to it ...doesn't need much to finish it if any thing ...glad you are enjoying your new brushes .

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    1. Polly Birchall5 May 2013 at 15:03

      That means a lot coming from you, so thank you.

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  9. Judith Farnworth Art5 May 2013 at 13:53

    I love the lilac Polly so not sure what you are unhappy with... I agree with Jane, you are too close to it, pop a mount round it and see what you think then.....I also think you should do more flowers, practice makes perfect!!!

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    1. Polly Birchall5 May 2013 at 15:05

      Thank you also. I just think flowers get the better of me. I just wish I liked painting them, as they are so beautiful. I have drawn some lily of the valley, no more multiheads! I willl dig out a mount tomorrow and see what I think. Thank you.

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  10. CHRIS MURRAY5 May 2013 at 16:08

    I struggle with flowers too. Love that marble scene-design, colors-it's great.

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    1. Polly Birchall6 May 2013 at 00:11

      I am in good company then. Thanks for comments. Hope you had a good weekend.

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  11. renate9 May 2013 at 10:03

    Dear Polly:) You are much too hard for your self. The lilac is so beautiful and so original painted. I love the fact you just painted a vew of the little blooms and leave the rest for imagination. That's what this painting makes so beautiful!
    Oh, and the marble game:) Remember this lovely time I feel truly old! You painted it wonderful. I love the little boy splashing in the water. Beautiful done!xx

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  12. laura11 May 2013 at 13:48

    Lilacs are so hard to do, or at least I always find them to be ... But I like your approach very much--the soft washes and negative painting ... wonderful cool colors too. The marbles painting is simply joyful!

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    1. Polly Birchall12 May 2013 at 00:42

      What a battle it was. Suppose I found an easier way to paint them. Glad you like the marble pic too.

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