TamandaArt

This is the last sunflower painting for this year. Of course it's also the largest! It started out okay. The drawing went well and the composition was good.  But...? I really hated that one sunflower in front. The petals were too round and I just didn't like it. So I went digital.  Well, on my phone where I don't have a digital pencil, but I could see that I was right. So I found a reference photo that might work and liked that it was a different color. So far so good. Now just the nitty gritty editing is left.  

Sunflowers again? I know. I want something different too.  Just be patient, it's going to change very soon. But while we're here, did you notice that this one is different? The colors are subdued. I'm trying something different with the colors and something exciting in my new pieces. I am playing with the palette colors in an attempt to explore more atmosphere.  Softer tones, softer feel throughout. Let's see if I can pull it off.  

I'd like to tell you that this is the last of the sunflowers that I started this year but sadly...it is not. They seem to be multiplying and when you see my next two posts, you will agree. So here is the next sunflower painting finished. It started out with just a line drawing. I drew out all the sunflowers at the same time. It was an experiment to see how similar and different they would turn out from the same point they started. This is the painting halfway through. I usually start out with base colors and work from there but I'm finding that my painting is changing now that I'm working with roses. Oh, spoiler alert! That's right, it's not sunflowers forever. "Sunday's Sunflowers" #22-21 12" x 12" (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm) oil on canvas board  

For the next few days I am going to be playing catch up on here. It seems that I am falling behind in my posts. So here are some sunflowers that I think I've already put up on Etsy a few weeks ago and forgot to put on Instagram. Where is my head? "Saturday's Sunflowers" #22-20 Oil on Canvas Board 12" x 12" (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm)  

I forgot to put this painting up.  It has been sitting with another just staring at me wondering when I'd get around to putting it on-line. Well, I guess the answer is...now. #22-23 "September Afternoon" 12" x 12" oil on canvas board  

  Here's the final photo of "Wistful" and below is the reference example the client liked. It wasn't all coming up daisies.  I know, bad joke.  The process wasn't pretty and even though I did take photos, they were not much to look at. As you can see with this photo, my studio lighting needs improving drastically but also that I played with the drawing a LOT. Too much, I know better.  I couldn't lose the crammed feeling until I lost a few flowers. It took a little while to sort it out but we got there in the end. I even had to take it up outside onto the deck to show the client the true colors.  The most important thing about all of this? The client loved it. That is what this is all about with a commission. It's a wonderful feeling when you can make someone so happy.

  I have just finished installing a commission artworks in Toronto. It was a wonderful experience yet again, mostly because it is a dream to work with Angela Barbuto (interior designer).  I thought I'd go through the lengthy experience to show you that what is just a painting takes a lot more than you think, especially when collaborating with others. It is always best to start with an idea and even better with references. The client knew she liked this painting and wanted something similar to it. I researched online to try and find references because Cosmos daisies were out of season. A reference photo I found online. I also found a few more references of various angles, all with similar lighting angles. Always important to remember lighting. The colors were the hardest to confirm and required sending examples back and forth. Initial drawing. It always ends up different, but you get the initial idea or feel of the painting. Small mock up painting. This gets sent mostly for confirma