Saturday, August 11, 2007

Dahlia Watercolor Progress

I've made a good amount of progress since my original post on the Dahlia watercolor. As you can see, I've finished the background at this point. I've also started basing in some of the petals. The above is the photo that I started with.

I could have approached where to start in a few different ways but in the end, I just started wherever I felt like. My next step will probably be basing in more of the petals that surround the ones that I've done.

After I've filled in some more, I will go back and darken and brighten. The colors of the petals as they are now, are just the start. A lot still has to be done to achieve the colors that I want. You never just put down one wash of color and call it quits....many more colors are added afterward to give the flower real depth. I think a nice orange/red will do the trick.

This photo shows how the picture looked after it was cropped. This kind of close-up and this particular view, is what I wanted to actually create my painting from.

10 comments:

Jenny Froh said...

That amazing Ruth! I can't wait to see the finished product.

Dorothy said...

It's coming along beautifully Ruth!
Do you use a medium to block out the white areas? I can't wait to see it completed..
(We're down in Florida vacationing this week.)

Ruth Welter said...

Thanks Jenn, it is good to know it is looking like something in the beginning. I'm interested to see how it shapes up as well.

Ruth Welter said...

Ow, how nice Dorothy, enjoy florida this week. No, I didn't use masking fluid for the white areas. I use it once in awhile on paper, for certain things but most of the time I do not use it. I don't even know if it would work properly on this surface. For instance on yupo paper, I have found it doesn't work at all when I'm doing a watercolor.

Naturegirl said...

Beautiful art it is nice to see the process! I can take pictures and someday I will take the time to take water color lessons and play with my images!

Ruth Welter said...

Hi NG...you should try it, painting is really a lot of fun.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Ruth - you do such beautiful work! I can't wait to see the finished product too! I used to water color....years ago. It was my favorite medium for a long time.

Now I am soooo hooked on my mosaics - lol.
Penny

Ruth Welter said...

Thanks Penny. Well, I can see why you got hooked on mosaics, they are wonderful and yours are really beautiful. I've been hankering for one of your pieces. One of these days I'll be getting myself one. If anyone hasn't seen Penny's lovely work, you should visit her blog and website.

kate said...

Hi Ruth,

The Dahlia photo is beautiful and your painting is looking great. I like the background ...

Ruth Welter said...

Thanks Kate.