Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Daffodil Daze + ramblings on process

Daffodil Daze Oil on Board 8" x 8" NFS
I usually follow a strict routine when painting. Rules like "work the whole thing" "dark to light" and "big shapes first" are very important to my process. But this morning I had a bit of a problem concentrating. I noodled too long on parts, swished around lots of paint that got wiped off later and generally didn't follow any of my good rules. I sort of lost hope in the middle and got back on track towards the end. This painting is the result. One positive aspect of "losing hope" for me anyway, is I'm more inclined to experiment and that's always a plus.

15 comments:

  1. Its a 'mellow' group of flowers, quiet and dignified.
    I like it a lot, Diane.

    One thing struck me in your blog... in oil paints I've always been taught to do dark to light. In water color its light to dark.

    I'm interested to know your theory.

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  2. Beautiful! Wish I could paint something as lovely -especially after "losing hope!" I really like the softness and subtle color in the background. The greens in the stems are nice as well as the colors in the flowers. A beautiful bouquet!

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  3. Shirley: Doh! Thanks for catching that. I am so scatterbrained lately, I meant to say dark to light. (I just corrected that.) Thanks Linda.

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  4. Ha ha- thanks for clearing that up -i was confused about the light to dark thing too!
    I love this one a lot-really lovely composition and I like the background color.

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  5. Hi Diane! I know that feeling of loosing hope halfway through a painting. This one's a winner.

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  6. I think you got a great result, regardless of the difficulties. Congrats.

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  7. WOW! This one is gorgeous! Maybe it's more "letting go" than "losing hope" cause this is fab!!!
    Joan

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  8. These are as lovely as the Spring day that produced them. Love those very subtle areas of creamy pink mixed in with the whites.

    Now that Spring is here, I've been wondering if that darling little bunny is going to hop into any of your Spring painting.

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  9. Joan: Mmm "letting go" vs "losing hope" much food for thought there. Gwen: Since painting that silly painting I acquired two MORE porcelain bunnies... I suspect at least one of them will make an appearance before long. (: Thanks so much everyone for commenting!!

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  10. Ooh these springtime flowers make Rondell on a mission for romance, LOL!

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  11. too bad about the rules! but i do have to say i like the relaxed attitude of this painting! great job!

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  12. Big payoffs for getting lost sometimes! I like the straight forward drawing quality in this one. It seems to be about the edges. that's a good thing.

    Like it a lot.

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  13. Diane, I love the daffodils. Your work is just getting better and better. Love the edge work.

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