Hydrangeas in Cobalt Vase

Hydrangeas in Cobalt Vase, Oil on Board, 12"x12"

The ground darkened significantly today with the additional layer of paint.  I am going to lighten the left side as it drops below the table similarly to the right side.

Hydrangeas in Cobalt Vase

Hydrangeas in Cobalt Vase, Oil on Board, 12"x12"

Note, when working on board in order to glaze and get highly detailed, refined results, things are great.  When working in a fast and loose manner, not so much.  You can see this in the ground I applied today.  Since there is no tooth to the board, colors that are transparent by nature slip, slide and don't cover.  This, of course, is exactly what I usually want.  But in this case of working more expressively, it slows progress.  I will have to apply the ground at least once, maybe twice more.  It's interesting to study a photograph of the painting.  Things pop that I don't always see looking at the original.  For example, the left upper edge area of the vase needs to have some of the petals overlap more so that it is clear that some petals are seen through the vase and some are in front of the vase.  Having fun with this one.  

Hydrangeas in Cobalt Vase

Hydrangeas in Cobalt Vase, Oil on Board, 12"x12"

The board is covered. Next, to make decisions about the ground color.  

Hydrangeas in Cobalt Vase

Hydrangeas in Cobalt Vase, Oil on Board, 12"x12"

Just a small amount of progress today in a work session that was only about 1.5 hours.

Hydrangeas, Cobalt Vase

Hydrangeas, Cobalt Vase, Oil on Board, 12"x12"

The photograph is a bit out of focus, but the color is accurate. Initially the ground was going to be a densely dark gray/blue.  But currently I'm considering the color here.  This is a commission for a baby gift and perhaps a lighter palettee is more appropriate. I've painted this vase before and always loved the form.  The glass is a very transparent cobalt.  

Geraniums

Geraniums, Oil on Board, 16 3/4" x 24 1/2"

The weather is so very humid that the red areas have not completely dried in 14 days.  I did work into one with some values, and the others I simply applied another layer of red to address transparency.  The left side of the photograph has glare today.  

Geraniums

Geraniums, Oil on Board, 16 3/4" x 24 1/2"

This view of Geraniums is through our living room windows onto Mink Cove, which empties into Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts.  In the past I have had the marsh as a backdrop to still life paintings.  This is the first where the foreground is ambiguous; where the viewer might be unsure of where she is.  So, I'm unclear on the outcome.  Also, the previous works of flowers have had a deep, dark ground that lent to a surreal or mysterious atmosphere.  I'm concerned this approach may look too nice and clean.