Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Hydrangea Wreath Completed.....

My Hydrangea Wreath painting is now complete......every last detail finished.

I'm showing the overall finished work in the next series of photos but I haven't forgotten about the work itself in progress that I was showing and we'll pick up with that later on in the post.


I know, you're wondering where in the world this second bird in the upper left hand corner came from. That little chickadee wasn't in the finished sketch, so how did he get there?? Ow the questions.....


The wonderful thing about doing a painting on gallery canvas is that it needs no frame, as you can see here, the mottled green background is brought around to all 4 sides. The painting is 14" x 18" and the canvas is 1 1/2" deep.


This is where we left off in my last post....the topmost bloom had been painted.

I then started working on the two purple blooms at the bottom of the wreath. Here I've just barely started on them.

Now we can see them fully finished!

The next thing on my list was the 2nd blue Hydrangea bloom. Once that was completed, I could move onto the bird or should I say "birds" as it turned out.

Here I've completed the bird that I had originally sketched onto the canvas. This is where the second bird comes in though.....after the first chickadee was painted, I felt he was lonely and needed some company. Something just seemed as if it were missing to me. At this point I knew I wanted another chickadee in the painting but the question was where to put him. I decided he would look quite cute hiding behind the topmost Hydrangea blossom, peeking down at his friend.

Once that little guy was painted in, I felt quite happy. I also at this point added some color around the blue oval...the dark blue that is in my Hydrangea blooms, this gives the center of the wreath added dimention. I also, if you will notice, added little tendrils all around my grape vine wreath. I believe a part of any good painting is listening to what the piece tells you. This means even the best made plans can and should change if you think as you paint, that things need to be added, taken away, or just plain different. Listening to what your painting is telling you and being flexible with your own work is a sure way to a happy end result. Hope you enjoyed the process and being able to see the finished piece. This piece is available on my ETSY site... http://www.artfulcreations.etsy.com/ and will soon be coming to my website.

13 comments:

Archie and Melissa said...

hi ruth!
oh my goodness! your new painting is gorgeous!
the second little chickadee is perfect!
i love everything about this painting. the details, colors and textures are inspired!

bella said...

wonderful, Ruth. Thanks for sharing the process.

Catherine Holman said...

Ruth,
It's beautiful! I love seeing your step by step photos. The mottled green background is perfect!
Hugs,
Cathie

NeereAnDear said...

Ruth this is absolutely beautiful!! I must say that I too enjoyed the step by step process..
Love the watercolor affect of the background... the extra chickadee adds a special touch ... and the all around painting itself and the subject is fantastic!!

Such a great piece !!

HUGS
JO

Anonymous said...

Just lovely, as always. Best. Kathryn

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

Love your story about how that second birdie happened to be in your painting. And you are right, birds do not like to be alone.

Donna said...

This is beautiful, Ruth! And I love that you added the second little bird.

Hugs,
Donna

Unknown said...

This is stunning. I love how this turned out, and the way you painted the magazine wrap style on your canvas.

Beautiful.

Karen

*emilie* said...

how pretty Ruth !!! i just love it

Suzanne said...

It's beautiful Ruth! Lots of work, and it shows! The second chickadee looks so cozy tucked away in the hydrangea....great idea!

Catherine said...

Ruth...another masterpiece..as always..I love everything about your new painting! I thinks it wonderful that you added the second little bird! :)
Its perfect Ruth..stunning!
Cat

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Ruth, Your finished piece is beautiful. I love the colors and the sweet birds. It has such an enchanting look. I also love these canvas pieces with no frame. I have been adding trims along the sides to some works.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent. I am a huge fan!!
Hugs, Celestina Marie

Gail McCormack said...

Hi Ruth,
I've had trouble getting on your blog - not sure what's going on

Just want you to know I haven't forgotten about you

and p.s. of course I love the finished painting