Anna Maria Hibiscus

Anna Maria Hibiscus, Gouache on Arches, 7"x6"

Other than quick washes in a sketchbook, I have not worked in watercolor for years.  I'm interested in developing wc skills because I want to work in color when we travel.  This piece is done with gouache, though, because I thought it might suit my oil painting habits.  Tomorrow I am taking a class in watercolor to understand better how to maintain a palette, how to develop color with washes without turning the paper to rubbish and how to maintain that wet, glistening quality.  Recently I saw Sargent's watercolors at the MFA.  They were so similar in both technique and surface that I thought gouache might just be the medium for me.  

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, Oil on Board, 12"x12"

I've been bothered for some time with the two blossoms that sit directly above the center and a little to the right.  They just feel too big, too close to the center blossom.  They seem to throw off the balance and unity of the piece.  To address that a bit I added leaves around them.  I'm still not sure they should belong. Below is a version edited in PhotoShop to see other options.