Personal Art Blog

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

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Watercolor - Orchid


Orchid in Pot
8x8in watercolor on Strathmore paper

I have been painting, but not posting
- too busy enjoying a house guest.
She is a fellow artist so we have had a great
time together.

Artist Note
I find the orchid can be difficult to paint.
No - not the flower, but the space created
by that very long stem between the
flowers and leaves.
Talk about linkage problems!
When I saw this plant at a friend's house
and the graceful way the
flowers linked towards the leaves
I knew I would enjoy painting it.
And I did!

(I am going to try it again on Yupo paper)

.


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39 comments:

  1. MYSTELIOS August 21, 2014 at 12:41 AM

    Very wonderful flower painting !!!
    Have a nice day Julie !!!

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  2. Midori YoshinoAugust 21, 2014 at 1:44 AM

    I like it nicely the flower melting in the air. Love it.

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  3. Pointy Bird Studio - Leesa PadgetAugust 21, 2014 at 2:52 AM

    Lovely work Julie - I really like your colour choices in this one. Do you have any tips for a first timer working on Yupo? I have a sheet waiting for me but I don't know where to start :)

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comAugust 22, 2014 at 8:09 PM

      Tips for Yupo? Well, Leesa, you enjoy drawing so use a watercolor graphite pencil and try your sketch first. Start SMALL!
      When you start placing the color on remember that if you go over a color you have already placed you are in danger of it lifting off. Puddling color on and letting it dry will give you smooth areas with slightly dark edges. Working "dryer" will give a different look too. Advantages outweigh the learning curve. It does not have to go under glass and It lifts completely OFF when you want to get back to the white.
      I have still not mastered it, but I am only work at weekends with it. I am really enjoying using it.

      Delete
    2. Pointy Bird Studio - Leesa PadgetAugust 24, 2014 at 3:46 AM

      Thanks Julie for your generous advice! I am really excited now to give it a go, the tips you have given me make a lot of sense and I have quite a few watercolour pencils as well :) thanks so much :)

      Delete
  4. Autumn LeavesAugust 21, 2014 at 3:43 AM

    Oh how pretty!!! Linkage problems indeed, but you've solved them beautifully!!! Look forward to seeing this on Yupo!

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  5. Libby FifeAugust 21, 2014 at 4:50 AM

    It's very graceful. You solved the linkage problem nicely:)

    Enjoy the visit with your house guest!

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  6. Kim MinichielloAugust 21, 2014 at 6:49 AM

    Another beauty!

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  7. hmuxoAugust 21, 2014 at 6:54 AM

    A beautiful painting of these Orchids, Julie..and love the background!!! also, having a house guest is wonderful but having a house guest that is an Artist makes it even better!!! Enjoy your time with her.!

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comAugust 22, 2014 at 8:33 PM

      Hi Hilda - thanks, and let me tell you what a pleasure it was seeing your latest portrait. Amazing.

      Delete
  8. Carol FlattAugust 21, 2014 at 9:03 AM

    Absolutely stunning, Julie. Elegant shapes, rich colors and glorious shading on the flowers.

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comAugust 22, 2014 at 8:51 PM

      Pleased you like it Carol.. Thank you.
      Your seascape is truly marvelous.

      Delete
  9. Blanche NiznikAugust 21, 2014 at 9:17 AM

    The background colors bring out the orchid beautifully. Lots of subtle variations of red going on. Lovely painting.

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comAugust 22, 2014 at 9:01 PM

      I really like this color background, Blanche. It is a couple of pieces of scrapbook paper I place behind many of my still life set ups.

      Delete
  10. c.dingmanAugust 21, 2014 at 10:11 AM

    Very nice! Love the way the composition leads your eye through the painting. This was a stand out on my blogs list.

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comAugust 22, 2014 at 9:11 PM

      Nice comment and much appreciated - thank you.
      I enjoyed seeing the early watercolor on your blog. It really glows.

      Delete
  11. UnknownAugust 21, 2014 at 10:58 AM

    Julie, look at those edges. They are outstanding.Soft and lovely.Great variety of loose and sharp. You rock.
    I commented on your last post........looks like the email genie got it!

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comAugust 22, 2014 at 9:13 PM

      Your comment made me laugh and feel good- thanks, helen.
      Love your cattails...took me back in time.

      Delete
  12. Debbie NolanAugust 21, 2014 at 11:02 AM

    Julie - so nice that you and your friend are enjoying your time together. This lovely watercolor looks like you are using your fracturing technique. Very beautiful. Hope to see it done on Yupo paper. Take care and have a great week-end.

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comAugust 22, 2014 at 9:23 PM

      Yes, I had a lovely visit and happy painting times. She is a fellow blogger and after a couple of years it is easy to feel a true friendship.
      Loved your post on Zucchini and the many ways it can be used.

      Delete
  13. Bruce BinghamAugust 21, 2014 at 11:54 AM

    Beautiful! Orchids are my favorite flower but I've never really been happy with my paintings of them. Now I know why! Thanks for the clarity!

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comAugust 22, 2014 at 9:30 PM

      Hi Bruce and thanks - lucky you getting to paint at Wenmohs Ranch.
      Will look forward to seeing more of your beautiful plein air paintings.

      Delete
  14. Linda RothAugust 21, 2014 at 3:16 PM

    You seem to have solved that long stem problem quite well. What is Yupo paper? We watercolor novices are curious. --Maybe that long stem is more a compositional problem requiring the addition of a backdrop? You got me thinking with this post. :-))

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comAugust 22, 2014 at 9:48 PM

      Hi Linda - yupo has a synthetic, plastic type surface. Paint can be lifted right off. Difficult to use at first for a realist and easier for non representational artists.
      You have an interesting post of paint ingredients. Fascinating stuff.

      Delete
  15. myra andersonAugust 21, 2014 at 6:29 PM

    these are sooo beautiful!!

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  16. padmajaAugust 22, 2014 at 1:52 AM

    The melting colors are so pleasing to watch, it is a lovely job as always, look forward to the yupo work.

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comAugust 22, 2014 at 9:52 PM

      We both do love color, don't we Padmaja?
      Your latest painting from Hawaii are beautiful.

      Delete
  17. Dean H.August 22, 2014 at 12:53 PM

    Perfection, Julie! Love the composition and colors!

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  18. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comAugust 22, 2014 at 10:09 PM

    High praise indeed as your paintings are always strong in those areas.
    Thanks, Dean.
    Your sunlit boy is a treasure.

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  19. jsicignano2.blogspot.comAugust 23, 2014 at 7:25 AM

    Another outstanding painting, love the colors. And the composition is just perfect.
    Thank you for sharing.

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comAugust 23, 2014 at 12:18 PM

      I loved the colors you used in the shadows of your white hydrangea painting, Joan. Thank you for the lovely comment.

      Delete
  20. Kathy CousartAugust 23, 2014 at 2:43 PM

    Beautifully done! Love your color palette!!

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  21. mary maxamAugust 23, 2014 at 8:29 PM

    the white blossoms have a wonderful porcelain quality...very beautiful!

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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

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