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.  

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, Oil on Board, 23"x34"

Other than oiling out, which will bring out the deepest colors and enrich it all, I believe I have finished.  I'm anxious to know what the gallery thinks.  I've looked at this so long and so intensely that I can't be objective.  

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas, Oil on Board, 23"x34"

Other than tweaking where I see necessary, I've finally completed the blossoms.  I did a bit of work on the leaves, left side.  I think I need to create some sort of separation between the large pink blossom and the blossom directly to the right.  I can't decide if I will insert a leaf or simply reduce the intensity.  The entire area is too heavy and pulls the eye away.  I may see if increasing the intensity of the leaves to the lower right helps .