Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, Oil on Board, 23"x34"

I've been photographing the painting with my iPhone 5 and can't seem to square the image despite many efforts.  But, the phone does seem to take a fairly crisp image with accurate color.  And the Photo Stream option with the iCloud makes transfer to the computer a breeze.  Today I finished working the small blossom behind the large pink blossom.  Then I spend some time on a few leaves.  It was a nice respite to not only work a little looser, but to change palettes.  

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, Oil on Board, 23"x34"

Today my house critic told me this was like looking at wrapping paper.  SIGH

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, Oil on Board, 23"x34"

After working several hours on the blossom behind and to the right of the large pink blossom, I feel that I have over-worked it and made it as distinct and important as the pink.  It doesn't recede behind the pink.  Tomorrow I will try to either up the brightness of the pink where it abuts the other blossom OR I will rework the 2nd blossom to reduce its crispness of line and color.  

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, Oil on Board, 23"x34"

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, Oil on Board, 23"x34"

Slow progress on the large pink blossom.  But, I can see the forms of each petal solidify as the thin areas are repainted.  

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, Oil on Board, 23"x34"

As I look back on the dark values added to the pink blossom, I realize they are too intense.  I will need to gray them out a bit.  I also need to create higher contrast between the pink and blue edges.  

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, Oil on Board, 23"x34"

I lowered the intensity of the blossom on the left behind the large violet/pink blossom.  Hopefully, this will help it to recede.  We'll see when I work into the pink blossom and try to bring it forward.