Saturday, September 27, 2008

Tree Peony

32x41cm/12x16"

My submission for the September Virtual Sketch Date, which I wasn't going to do this time, but this magnificent tree-peony, and the challenge of trying glass again, plus feeling left out when I saw Vivienne and Laura were up for it ;o) persuaded me. I enjoyed it - I resisted the impulse to carefully trace the outlines, and just drew a few faint swoopy guidelines before starting the washes. The background was difficult! Trying to keep the big wash wet and moving, while describing the edges of the petals, leaves and bowl was tricky, and I did go back and fiddle in spite of the voice in my head saying No! Uh-uh! Moenie!

24 comments:

cathyswatercolors said...

The painting of the flower is beautiful. Great soft colors. The backround is just, well I can't think of anything but "superstar". It just makes me smile:)

laura said...

The "swoopiness" worked perfectly for you! The flower has a very floaty, silky personality. Love you choice to change the background--it suits your flower: like the curtain on a stage, to pick up on Cathy's theatric metaphor.

Grangry said...

Oh! This is singin' an' dancin'!

Melissa Muirhead said...

Just gorgeous, what a beautiful interpretation

Kari Gibson said...

Oh, fabulous - so light and airy. You have a lovely, delicate touch! Oh, that background was a struggle, but yours is so successful!

Stacy said...

Cathy, I really like the shading in your petals. I can't imagine trying to keep the background wet while painting around the petal edges. That must have been a real challenge!

Jeanette Jobson said...

This is gorgeous Cathy. The petals are beutifully defined and I love the contrast with the loose background.

Jennifer Rose said...

this is very pretty. Great colours in the petals and the vase looks so real.

Rose Welty said...

Cathy, I'm so glad you were convinced to participate, I love your work and this is no exception. This is one of my favorite entries this month!

Ann said...

Oh, I love the color and light. This is gorgeous!

Kathleen said...

Your version has a lot of PIZAZZ! nice take on the subject

Anonymous said...

Very dynamic! Beautiful.

My hat is off to watercolor artists! What you said about keeping the wash moving while defining the edges... Now that is some tricky stuff!

Regina Calton Burchett said...

It's an explosion of "Happy Flower"! Beautiful and very expansive!

Gail Bartel said...

Great work on the vase Cathy, you definitely have more confidence with reflections than I do. Love the edges of your petals and the details in the layers. Fabulous!

Jo Castillo said...

Very exciting version of the peony. Nice work.

Gillian said...

Your tree peony is beautiful, CPG. The colour you chose for the background gives a different mood to the photo. I want to reach in and hold the glass vase. Delicate petal pinks and shapes superbly rendered!
I finished my book this week-end - Kite Runner - heart wrenching. RWH took Fri & Mon off to use up vac time.

Paulette said...

This is lovely!
It just pops out of the screen!

Vivienne said...

Yes CPG I agree with all that has been said. I can hear Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers playing!
And who can remind me of this conductor's name? http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=QK3ELt0zPLg

Vivienne said...

Ah Simon Rattle!

Teresa said...

Enjoyed having you stop by my blog. Your VSD is just beautiful! You've got just the right combo of softness and vividness of color... I have a way to go before my watercolors get to that stage... in the meantime, keep posting your art... it's inspiring and motivating me to keep working.

Anonymous said...

gorgeous! I'm looking hard but can't see your fiddling. The background absolutely flatters your peony.
Ronell

Sylvia Jenstad said...

Cool painting ... the peony ... the glass.... the background...

Sharon said...

Wow! This is just gorgeous.

Cathy Gatland said...

Thanks everybody for coming to look and your nice comments - I'm sorry if I haven't left comments on everyone's blogs - I think I have looked at most of them, but have lost track, and computer time is limited! I'm amazed at all the great and varying interpretations - such fun to see and take part.
Thanks!