Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Hydrangeas


Hydrangeas

6x8in oil on canvas $130. SOLD


Artist Note

This was a demo for the Friday group
on the same limited palette as the last post
with the brightly colored Anemones.
The goal was to show how to paint
masses of small blooms by only painting
one or two in detail, and the rest only suggested
by shadow and color.

This time I worked with \
more neutral colors to show the full
range of this handy palette.
Here are a few color charts
from Guild members.







Ned Jacob's limited Palette

Cad Yellow light
Orange 
Alizarin Perm. W&N
Ultramarine Blue
Black
Titanium White


I was fascinated seeing the many different 
harmonious earth colors and lovely
greens shades that can be mixed.



41 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. thank you. I think all flowers are beautiful. Looking forward to your next landscape...with flowers in it, maybe!

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  2. The harmony is wonderful. And the vase is very special. Great demo.

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    1. It is amazing what the odd color could do to this harmony. Wait till you see the next limited palette.
      I can tell you enjoyed painting your tree. Neat shapes.

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  3. My problem will always be that I can't resist painting everything in detail. Clearly I can see how it works - brilliantly well - to do things 'your' way. Maybe in time I'll get there. All ready I'm finding that when painting folds in cloth a large brush and expansive strokes produce better results than fiddling around with every detail with a small brush.

    The NJ limited palette I plan to use in the near future, thanks for that and the color charts. I've only used the Zorn limited palette and got a colour chart of 50+ ... so I'm making headway!!

    Thanks for all this btw!

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    1. Oh my goodness, John. Your way is wonderful with all the detail you do. That is what gives you pleasure and that is how you should paint. The pleasure is what is important.Some of my friends at the guild paint in a photorealistic way and they do it very well. I love it.
      When I demo I make it clear that just because I do it this way doesn't mean it is the only way.It is just the right way for me!
      Thanks for the visit John and congratulations on your wonderful portraits.

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  4. What an exciting launching point this palette offers! Seeing the range of colors that can be mixed with it is exciting. I especially love the neutrals! Very impressive!
    And, ahhh, the hydrangeas. Beautifully rendered in all their magnificence and elegance! Love those flowers!!

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    1. I agree - the neutrals are clean and not muddy. Glad you like the flowers. Hard to paint those masses of small blooms.
      Have you started your experiments with other medias? I keep checking your blog and still love the cactus blossom with dove.

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  5. These Hydrangeas are gorgeous Julie... as well as the beautiful colors in the vase!
    OUTSTANDING work!!!

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    Replies
    1. The hydrangeas grow where you live don't they?
      I have to buy them here. I was amazed at all the different colors and how beautiful they were when I lived in California.
      Thanks for the complement, Hilda.

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    2. They do have Hydrangeas here in NY and everyone tells me how easy it is to preserve them ...I have tried to dry them but I have no luck .. I will try again in the Summer... (if Summer ever arrives!..lol)

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  6. I second Hilda. Ned's limited palette with orange is definitely intreguing. Less is better.

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    1. It is excellent and wait till you see what comes next on the palette.
      Love your sketches.

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  7. Absolutely my favourite flower, painted beautifully :) Thanks for the interesting info about colour choices too, I have always struggled with colour mixing...I think it is from too many years of working with pastel.

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    1. Pleased to know you like the hydrangeas, Leesa. I bet you paint them in a wonderful way.
      Your colors in pastel are already perfect.

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  8. Julie - I think those hydrangeas are beautiful - what a welcome site for someone in Ohio who hasn't seen any flowers blooming for so long. Interesting about the limited palette too. So nice of you to share the colors you used. Hope you are having a great day. Hugs

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    1. You must be getting some bulbs starting to break through in sunny areas. I bet spring is glorious where you live.
      As long as I am breathing and working with paint then all days are good days!

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  9. Wow Julie, that is just the best color chart with the limited palette. And the hydrangeas show it off perfectly. Beautiful. I keep wishing I could save blogger posts like pinterest. Hmmmm :)

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    1. I dare not go on Pinterest. I seem to be busy all the time and I still have not mastered Facebook. I love your beautiful floral. The color of that coral background is amazing.

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  10. I am such a fanatic about blue hydrangeas and you captured their softness and delicate form perfectly. I am going to try to remember about the suggested forms instead of trying to make everything detailed. The effect really works. Love those color charts.

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    1. Do they grow where you live, Lisa? They do not grow here. I think they are a beautiful flower too and amazed how quickly they can droop after being cut. I wonder what the secret is - do you know?

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  11. Oh my favorite flower/shrub , gorgeous texture and colors , and such a beautiful vase too !

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    1. So these must grow where you live, Jane, How fortunate you are.
      Your new still life has such great texture and colors. I think you did a super job with the jug.

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  12. My favorite flowers ever to look at...a gorgeous vase...your beautiful style. Perfection!

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    1. Lovely comment - thanks so much, Sherry.
      I was so shocked and saddened to read on your blog of DEANO'S passing. What a loss to us all. I had been sending emails and no reply. I am very sad.

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  13. What a great palette!
    I have yet to tackled such a floral, wow!

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    1. I would love to see how inventive you would be with a floral like this, JanetteMarie. Looking forward to seeing your next painting. I really loved your teacup so please don't make me wait too long

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  14. Julie, your blog is my daily inspiration. Thank you for sharing all the art information. Some days are like a mini workshop, smiles. Love today's painting.

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    1. You are a great moral booster, dear Blanche. Thank you.
      I was impressed with your color chart. Wow - good for you.

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  15. would have loved to watch that demo. The hydrangeas are beautiful and love that exquisite vase.

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    1. Demo week is hard on me. Five in a week. It is important I do something I like to paint.
      The hydrangeas are beautiful. It made it fun.

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  16. Just beautiful!!! I love the idea of doing just a few blooms in detail, but it works. That would probably work no matter the medium. Your metal vase is lovely!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Joan, It does work in any media.
      Your sketches at the Met are fabulous. You are so good at the on location sketches - especially capturing the scale of things. Not easy.

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  17. For me hydrangea can be over powering to paint sometimes. You've balanced out their 'big-ness with that rich gold vase- just super!

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  18. What a wonderful lesson you've shared, and this painting is fabulous. It positively glows.

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  19. So very beautiful, thank you for sharing. Love the color range you achieved with the limited palette.

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  20. What a demo! Your students are so very lucky, Julie!

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  21. It is a gorgeous display and I love the range of colors!

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  22. Nice lesson Julie, its good to see it in action, great teacher.

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  23. Julie - I just love the colors in your paintings - very beautiful. I appreciate, so much, that you've taken the time to share your palette. I am learning so much from you - it makes painting a joy. Thank you!

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  24. Thanks for sharing your color palette. Your painting are so fresh.

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I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie