I am putting these up to show Sketchup-ketchup, who has probably seen them before. I did these gouache paintings a long time ago. I think they may have faded a bit, or perhaps I would just be looking for more vibrant colour now. My painting class had the topic "Objects of desire", so I did these of the same flower, a couple of days apart.
Sad to say, the tree that produced this flower is itself a dying object of former desire... very tall, but very unhealthy. We have such sandy, limestone based soil... not nearly acidic enough to sustain beautiful glossy magnolias. Even in its 'glory' days, the leaves were a bit pale and anaemic.
The paintings are framed behind glass, so there are a few reflections to contend with.
I did love using the gouache technique I learned from teacher Leonie
7 comments:
How sad that the tree is ailing - what beautiful flowers. I think our magnolia is a different variety to yours and G's - I think it's a tulip magnolia, I called it a saucer before but don't think it is. I've meant to paint them for years - perhaps this 'blogging' year will be the one!
What was the gouache technique? Flat planes of colour, or glazes? I haven't used it much.
I think ours is(was) Magnolia grandiflora. The gouache technique: do a contour type drawing, with very fine pencil lines; mix gouache with water to colour required, with very creamy texture and apply very flat and evenly with good pointy brush to single, separate areas of drawing. No blending, no going over, no reapplying... the glossy perfect surface is everything. A bit of painting by numbers really, and the colours work even if quite unrealistic. It's lovely. My remaining paints are all dried out, and they do not reconstitute like other water colour.
Glad to hear DG is sticking to guns. Go girl!
Ah - yes, I saw your paintings and remember thinking they must have been silkscreens, they were so flat and smooth surfaced. At art school we did that with 'poster paints', which I suppose were a cheap form of gouache - was supposed to prepare us for 'commercial art' - but I didn't ever get called on to paint like that again!
Your mags are beautiful, VP! I think I remember seeing them hanging up in your house... You've projected an Oriental look in the flower, as well as the choice of vase. Good for you to paint the browned flower - they are so interesting looking, like suede... I cut a mag off the tree - found one on a low branch. Had another go at painting it on Sat, got tired, planned to paint again on Sun. But by then my mag was completely ochre-rusty-brown! I really battled trying to translate the browned petals, shadows etc, back to white - in my head. It was hard work. I'll post it soon... Need to finish up some areas. The learning curve was good even though my result was disappointing. Maybe trying it in gouache would be a fun exercise.
Oh I prefer your watercolour paintings by far.Had got tired of these and took them down. Good quality 'designers' gouache is expensive too, and I think it is mostly for that... design... more freedom in the other media. I enjoy contour drawing, so enjoyed the moment.I should have said that when it is completely dry, you can paint lines,etc over the top.There is an 'acrylic gouache' too... like a folk art paint... Jo Sonja made one.
These are superb--I love how stylized the blooms are, and all the colors and patterning ... I find patterns so difficult myself.
Thank you Laura. I have visited your pages, directed there from Cathy's website, and am very chuffed to receive a visit.. and praise!.. from such an accomplished artist.I am just embarking on my biggest ever painting of some tulips!Perhaps some patterning ..
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