Friday, October 24, 2014

How do you approach a new painting?

How much work do you put into the preparations for a painting?


I used to rush on and paint right away, no planning no nothing just do it. That has changed. If I am to paint poppies, as for this case, I like to research the subject using the internet or perhaps books I might have on the topic. Normally I sit down with some sketch paper, trying to fetch the" ultimate" movements or shape of my chosen subject.


It's almost like I try to get the feel of it in my hand. I often paint those sketches just to see how they will work, and very often this play leads to new and exciting ideas.


Yes, it was poppies this time, but a rose found it's way too. I've been working on roses as well lately, so it didn't surprise me. The photos I have shown you above, are just a tiny bit of what I did to find the right feeling of the flower.
I also worked quite alot to find a composition I liked, and then the painting began. The result of my efforts is shown in next photo.


Later on, I have been filling in the white contours around my subjects, it just didn't feel right to leave it as you see it here. I'm very pleased with my results of this one. The darker areas on the right half has an undertone of violet, which dosen't show in this photo. The upper left light area also has a light turquoise shining through.
Painting is becoming more and more fun the deeper one gets into it, I think.
Faber Castell, Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils is used and it's done on a Fabriano cold pressed 140 lbs paper.
Have a nice weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

24 comments:

  1. Wow, gorgeous flowers! Particularly those seed pod sort of structures. Too cool!

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  2. your final piece is really stunning... the pink pops next to the blue background and the sketches are lovely in their own way as well... great post!!!

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  3. Beautiful work! I am doing things the other way round - I used to research everything, and now I just get started! Valerie

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  4. Amazing pieces..love the rich colors in your art!
    I mostly have a plan but during the progress it often turns to something completely different..and that I take as a gift from the muse and are happy about!
    xxx
    Susi
    Happy PPF !

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  5. Funny I've been reading a lot of books on adopting a list painting style recently since i came back from the painting holiday in Cornwall that i won and they discuss both the careful planning and the jumping straight in. I dint think there's a right or wrong way. I jump in as I'd get bored Sketching and drawing the same thing several times before finally painting it but for you it clearly works to do exactly that as your final piece is lovely.

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  6. Loving your beautiful final poppy painting. Happy PPF Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  7. Poppies are so beautiful and your paintings are really great. I like the dark background around the flowers.

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  8. Amazing! Great colors, good painting...oh I have so much to learn! :) (and I will...)
    Have a relaxing weekend!

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  9. Your final piece is absolutely beautiful! I love all of the bright colors! I'm the type of person the doesn't really do too much planning...I pick a picture I like, sketch it out, and then paint it. lol! I probably should try planning it out a bit more

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  10. Your artwork is lovely. The final piece just blew me away.

    Hmmmm...I do like to look at pictures of a subject before I do a project. I also take photos of models for my reference pictures. I sometimes dash into a project, but it depends upon what it is I'm doing. (grin)

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  11. I think your way is a good way to do it, and you certainly get the results. I like the first one here, especially, the poppy heads against the splash of lime green.

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  12. Creativity is ever changing and learning...your flowers are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing, a bit of your interesting process!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  13. beautiful well-planned work! I tend to plan mine out too. Thanks for the heads up on the Golden Ratio the other day, I've been trying with that....need to get a good book I think!

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  14. I love your final result...beautiful! When I paint I seldom know where it's going. I just start putting paint and marks on the paper or canvas and see where it leads me. Maybe I should try to be more structured about it.

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  15. Well i think you came up with a fabulous layout. Love the play of light and dark. Great job! Hugs! deb

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  16. thanks for sharing your process and your beautiful pictures, they really pop off the papge.

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  17. I do a few sketches before I paint. Your poppies turned out great!

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  18. lovely poppies, so rich in colour. First comes an inspiration in my creating process, a little seed of delight and then visual image is captured in my memory. The seed grows in my mind until it is ready to be transferred on the paper or canvas. I also do little study in the meantime.

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  19. Have found myself planning almost as long as it takes to create a finished piece as I've progressed. Have enjoyed the outcomes much more so.

    Lovely work, Laila!

    -Barb

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  20. Really beautiful poppies! Your way to work on it is surely very useful.

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