TamandaArt

"Rose Garden" I wasn't sure if this was done. Then I found I kept applying the paint over and over again and realized that yes, I was done. I am enjoying the choppy strokes that make it more impressionistic and less blending. "Rose Garden" (20-21) 18" by 24" oil on gallery canvas  

"Rose Garden"  was my first attempt at painting roses on a large scale  and as part of the rosebush instead of cut and arranged into a floral arrangement.  Once I cropped a photo, I drew out the composition in vague geometrical patterns. From there it was just adding the base colours. I am pretty sure that I was painting over a painting. I will do that if there isn't that much relief on the underpainting. After the base paint had dried, it was time to get serious and push in with the correct colours and final drawing, especially for the leaves. There was a lot of leaves.                                             One of the best things to paint were the highlights.  There were so many of them and it was enjoyable to see the painting come alive with the sunlight.  Almost done.  

Peonies again!  I know, I know, lots of peonies. This was supposed to be a quick daily painting but it took longer than that.  The glass vase got too interesting, The petals got complicated with all those hues and values. I managed to get a "in-process" photo where you are able to see how it started. "Peonies in Glass" #28 oil on canvas board 8" by 8"  

 When I come up with an idea, I scribble out some thumbnails that usually look ... well... I understand what I meant when I look at them. Then, I set up a photoshoot with the chosen objects of this idea. It never really comes out exact to what I think it should be, but sometimes, it comes out better.   Below are some examples of an idea coming together and seeing how differently the photos can turn out just by changing the camera angle just a tiny bit. I take a lot of photos.  Many years ago I would just start painting and then, at the end of all that hard work, would realize that the composition was just off. (It still does happen occasionally, but that's usually a drawing error). It's frustrating and with a little bit of prep work, you can cut down the problems. Some people don't like working from photos, but it does help figure out where everything goes.

Still in the 5x7 size for now.  I did another version of "Pink and White" #20-27, but with a small angle change.  I added a bit more blue and pushed more pink into the petals.  5" by 7" oil on canvas board "Hydrangea Blush" #20-33  

 I went back to the 5" by 7" size.  I had to get out some really tiny paintbrushes. I think I like working with the glass vases,  there are so many colours and shapes to play with.  5" by 7" oil on canvas board "Hydrangea in Glass" #20-29

At first, my intent was to completely get away from pink.  I was trying to push my portfolio in the "cool" direction.  So why the pink?  Well, it's the end of summer and the hydrangeas are rampant and I thought,  lets put some in the photo shoot.  Some of the compositions came out really well, so I just had to paint them. . "Pink Hydrangeas in Glass" 5" by 7" oil on canvas board #20-27  

I wasn't sure about this one.  There were a few that didn't make the cut but I popped this one on the okay list.  It's a simplified little piece. The reflections were fun.  "Summer Reflections" 5" by 7" oil on canvas board  

When I realized the star of the show was always going to be the glass vase,  I just went with it. I made it center stage.  I think the dark background simplifies the piece, enhancing the foreground.  "Blue Glass"  #20-25 8" by 8" oil on canvas board  

After having some trouble with the 5" by 7" size, I thought it might be better to scale up a little larger. I'm still trying to sort out colours, how to make volume but still keep florets, but I think the star of the show is the glass vase and all the reflections. #20-24 "White and Pink Hydrangeas" 8" by 8" oil on canvas board  

This was actually painting number four but the other two didn't make the cut. Bunny (#23) 5 by 7" oil on canvas