A sketch of a group of flowers for sale, part of a larger stall, which I would like to return to one day, to work up a larger painting, but it remains to be seen if I will be able to make the opportunity.
Street market blooms
A Rose for Valentine
Whether you send or receive a single stem or a dozen, it’s the thought that counts, and if you are also able to use them as a sketching opportunity as well as a welcome gesture to be admired over the days to come, then that has to be a pleasure doubled.
Floppy Tulips
As predicted, it didn’t take the tulips long to start flopping, and once they start, they don’t stop. By the time you have drawn them, they have flopped some more. There is no point trying to correct the drawing because by the time you have, they have moved again. It’s a race the tulips always win! Not that it matters, as long as you end up with a reasonable painting!
Tuesday Tulips
Tulips are another must at this time of year. The leaves are often more interesting than the flowers themselves. Although they were actually standing in a jug, I decided not to include it as I wanted to concentrate on the leaves. I’m hoping by later in the week the flowers will have become more relaxed about being painted.
The final fling
The final phase of the daffodil ‘thing’ I have had this week! Although the flowers are still thriving, it is probably time to look at something else. They were a beautiful present which couldn’t help but brighten up the day – a lot of days actually. They always seem to be a cheerful flower and bring a much needed burst of colour into the world at this time of year.
Latest Daffodils
More flowers open today which was good, but I found it the most difficult to paint as the sun was playing ‘Now you see me, now you don’t’ all the time. I tried to keep things as consistent as I could throughout , but it wasn’t easy.
Daffodils and lemon
The Daffodils are starting to open up now and showing more of their colour, and are just as good to paint. I love the different greens along their length from the very yellow-green at the bottom through the blue sheen along the stems and so dark in the shadows between stems and under overhanging petals, and back to yellow green again as the buds begin to open. Mostly I used lemon yellow and French ultramarine with just a touch of permanent sap green in places. I always want to paint them as much as possible every year as I know they wont last for ever.
New buds
Although they are not yet in the garden, someone gave us these daffodil buds still in their tight little supermarket bundle, longing for a drink of water. Add a glass and an ‘easy peeler’, and away we go.
Clementines and lemons
Still just enough fruit left for a final painting before it disappears, and the lively colours are certainly a contrast to outdoors. Not that I really mind this time of year as much as many people seem to – it’s a matter of priorities. I find it an excellent moment to sort out plans for the year ahead (if one hasn’t already), load up the shelves with watercolour paper, stock up on pigments and sketchbooks so one doesn’t have to worry about such things later when the sun is shining, and nothing must distract one from getting out there and painting!
Not that it ever quite works out like that of course. But one thing I am sure of, is having such colourful objects to hand to play with at this time of year does wonders for one’s wellbeing, which has assumed such importance recently. It always has been true. It’s just that people have been too busy to give it much thought.
A bit of warmth
This week has been really grey and overcast so far, so I was pleased to find these Clementines to add a little colour to the day. I used mostly Lemon yellow, cadmium scarlet and a little permanent Rose, to try and keep them fresh. I don’t often paint a lot of warm colours, but today I must have felt the need for it – I might even use some of them again before they all disappear.
