Painting Cosmos

In preparation for teaching a workshop next weekend, I have been practicing more flowers with no pre-drawing. This is the painting so far:

Cosmos (watercolour 13.5 x 21.5 inches)

How I got there

Step 1: The thumbnail (1 x 2 inches)

This is the first and most crucial step in the whole process for me. This is were I establish the rhythm and balance of the painting. I have defined three large shapes of light, medium and dark values and where the focal point will be. At this point I am making all the major decisions about how I will approach this painting including colour and paint application techniques. I have a plan to follow when I start painting but I don't stick to it slavishly. I allow myself to react to the flow of the paint.

The first wash

I wet the top third of the paper and started with the yellow centres of the flowers. As the paper loses its shine I can start to define some of the petal shapes with pink. Where the paper has dried too much I sprayed and splatted some more water to help the paint flow. Any back runs at this point will add textural interest. Let this dry.

Laying in the darks

I have used the darks to define the petals on the main flowers. I tried adding salt for texture but once again proved that I have no facility with this particular technique. Perhaps this is a subject for a future posting, "Louise does salt trials"

Adjustments

I added more cool darks to the upper left and softened the edge between background and middle distant area. At this point, I let the painting rest over night and completed the details the next morning. 

The end

I worked slowly, assessing each step as I worked.

Magnolias

The Magnolia Society of Annapolis Royal has invited artists and craftspeople to create work "Inspired by Magnolias" for an exhibition during the Magnolia Festival in May. The show will take place from the 1st to the 29th of May at ARTsPLACE in the Chapel Gallery (396 St. George Street, Annapolis Royal)

All this drawing that I have been doing this year has given me the confidence to paint without any pre-drawing on the paper. I do make a few quick thumbnail sketches to establish the composition. 

 Pink Magnolias (10 x 14 inches)

For this first painting, I wet the shape of each blossom and then worked wet in wet. I controlled the flow by drying the edges of the petals with paper towel as I worked.

White Magnolias ( 13.5 x 21.5 inches)

I began this painting the same way, wetting the blossom and working wet. When the blossoms were dry, I wet the entire back ground working right over the branches and the central bud. I poured  mixtures of ultramarine blue and burnt umber, paynes grey, alizarine crimson and thalo green.  

Make a difference

While walking down Spring Garden Road In Halifax yesterday, I was approached by a young man named Ryan MacDonald offering information about Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders Canada (MSF). 
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was established in 1971 by a small group of French doctors who had worked in Biafra. Upon their return, they were determined to find a way to respond rapidly and effectively to public health emergencies, with complete independence from political, economic and religious influences.

Today, MSF is one of the world's leading independent international medical relief organizations, working in close to 65 countries worldwide and with operational centres and national offices in 19 countries.

     I am  grateful that medical care is available to me and am well aware that this is not the case in much of the world. I heartily support the work that MSF does world wide and was reminded that one person can make a difference and I have the means to generate financial support. 
     Here's the plan: I am designating one painting this year for Médecins Sans Frontières. When this painting sells, which could be next week or next year, I will make a donation of 100% of the unframed price of $250.00. The painting will be matted and ready for framing.
This is the painting I have chosen.

Barn on Parker Mt. Rd.(watercolour, 7.5 x 10.5 inches) $250.00

To purchase this painting contact me at lwilliamsstudio@gmail.com. or visit me at the Annapolis Farmer's and Traders Market each Saturday morning from the May long week end until Thanks Giving.

For more information on Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders Canada (MSF),  visit their web site at http://www.msf.ca/about-msf/

We can each make a difference.

A Blast from the Past

While staying at my sister's house I have had a new look at some of my old paintings. The ones I have selected to show here were painted early in my career (from 1994 to 1996). My techniques have changed. These were painted in lots of thin glazes with many layers and much lifting and adjusting. Though my drawing and composition have improved  over the years I am still pleased with these early works. There are one or two of my very earliest attempts also displayed at my sister's house but I think I will keep them just between family.
All of the following paintings were photographed under glass and you can see some reflections on the images.

Five Red Apples (3 x 9 inches)

Red and Green Apples (5 x 7 inches)

Oranges and Apples (3 x 5 inches)

The Gate (9 x 12 inches)

Paradise Post Office (7 x 5 inches)

More ink, less wash

Here are some further experimentations with ink. Helen said that she was advised to include some areas of solid black in her ink drawings. I am taking a page from her book - literally. Helen illustrated a book on B & Bs in Atlantic Canada, Comforts of home by Anne Fawcett with illustrations by Helen Brigham Opie (1994).

Granville B&B (7 x 10.5 inches)

On Granville Road (7 x 10.5 inches)

More washes

As promised last time, I have done more ink and wash. These are done in the same manner as "Dancing on the Shore" These three are the start to a series of illustrations for a poem/song written by my friend Kate. More on this latter.

South Shore Beach

Sand Dunes

Ink and Wash

Helen's Tilley Hat 1
(2.5 x 2.5 inches)

The pilot pen used to draw this little study is one of my favourite drawing tools and I wanted to see how it would behave with a wash of watercolour. The scribble on the left shows the amount of pigment that would be spread with just water. I like the fact that the ink lines can be softened a little and that the colour can be muted or kept bright depending on wether or not you cover the lines with your wet brush.

Helen's Tilley Hat 2
(3 x 3 inches)

This second study was drawn with a waterproof Staedtler pigment liner. There is no bleeding of the lines but this pen does not feel as responsive as the first one. A good pen nonetheless and I use it a great deal.

Dancing on the Shore (Ink and Wash, 6 x 12 inches)

I like the light airy feel of this illustration and I am going to try some more of these.

By the way, all of these ink and wash drawings have been done on Canson's Drawing Bristol. It takes the ink beautifully but allows only the most direct application of paint.