August Flowers, 2011

As I was thinking of ways to unify this composition, I came upon the idea of painting one flower through 3 stages of its life. Next project. Meanwhile, I worked more on the dahlia and carried some elements across the boards.

August Flowers, 2011

The reader might not notice a change from yesterday's post. Look carefully at the left side of the dahlia for subtle color adjustments and brush work.

August Flowers, 2011

I added my favorite dahlia to the triptych. More work tomorrow will reveal the true color. It is a syrupy caramel.

August Flowers, 2011

I'm working simultaneously on some small flower paintings from our garden. This triptych study of yellow flowers is a small, 11 x 5.5", oil on board. The divisions are routed. I am thinking of participating in a daily painters site. These (and single flowers) would be what I present.

Highbush Blueberry, Spring

Reworked the middle ground to a darker color and more vague forms. Still may reduce some more of the sky.

Highbush Blueberry, Spring

Today I put in the basic placement of the branches and made some indications of the leaf placement, which should help me decide how to handle the far ground. I tried some green along the top and now think I should add more toward the horizon line. The color needs to be in high contrast with the blueberry bush, though.

Worked mostly the foreground and then the distant trunks. The foreground is Brownish Madder. Magnificent isn't it? Working with translucent colors like these on white board is similar to the glazing I've been doing on gold leaf. But, I intended it as only a wash. I'm intrigued enough to experiment with it later. The quality of the chroma is so rich.