Orchid Light
6"x 6" watercolor on Aquabord
waxed finish.
gifted.
gifted.
The glow from these
orchids appeared to illuminate
the air around them.
What a truly beautiful flower
the orchid is.
Artist Note.
I have had several requests for information
on how I wax my watercolors.
Here is a link to my original post,
March 28th 2014
showing the way
I use wax, the brand I prefer, and a video.
I like the wax finish better than a spray varnish,
but it is entirely a personal choice.
I know I do not want to use glass so
Aquabord by Ampersand
has worked well for me.
I know I do not want to use glass so
Aquabord by Ampersand
has worked well for me.
Beautiful Julie. I watched your video about waxing too. I never knew about this. Looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGlad you watched it. The wax gives a softer finish and I like that.
DeleteThanks for the visit, Carol. Love your azaleas.
The light is beautiful and the orchids just dance across the page! Gorgeous watercolor, Julie!
ReplyDeleteThank You Celia. Nice comment.
DeleteI was intrigued by how you drew the mixer beaters. Not easy to get them to look like they could whirl at any moment.
Hi Julie, thank you for sharing. What do they say, when the student is ready the teacher appears. I have been experimenting with different surfaces for my watercolor and I was thinking about aqua board. Love the waxing as well. Julie, I thank you for all the great info you share on your blog.
ReplyDeleteHow neat is that! Glad to hear the timing is right one the dot!
DeleteIt takes a bit of experimenting, but the aquabord produces a
neat watercolor effects. Mixing washes and adding dry brush
where you want to add depth or detail.
You can use a spray varnish very easily. I just happen to like the
wax.
I would start with a smaller board size to get used to it.
That is a beautiful still life on your post - with the blue and white - quite my favorite
Gorgeous! I love how glamorous and intimate this seems at the same time. I'm not sure I ever put those 2 words together before, but it seems to fit. Rita Hayworth....
ReplyDeleteHi Melle, thanks for such a nice comment. I laughed!
DeleteYour great sense of humor comes through on your blog.
Love the way the sun its your hay bales.
It's been said. They dance across the painting. Such great energy in this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen. Dancing orchids!
DeleteHows your energy - picking up!
Absolutely
Delete1
Oh my, Julie ~ this is simply exquisite. I love the simplicity of form and those colors really captivate. What a beautiful piece!
ReplyDeleteI could use the same words, simplicity and form, for your beautiful drawing of a woman's back in the new issue of Professional Artist. Congratulations, Dianna. You interviewed some big names about Open Studios and I am looking forward to reading the article.
DeleteI will check it out! LOVELY work!
ReplyDeleteThanks you, Sue, and your abstracts are STUNNING!
DeleteThanks for the video...never heard of waxing a watercolor, been painting in this medium for years and only a few on aqua board. Love the way the whites in the orchids pop.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. When I linked to your name above it took me to a blogger page but with no blog listed... so I googled your name and three Susan Liles came up and all are different. I wonder...which one are you?
DeleteYou said you had done watercolor and there was one with stunning portraiture and an amazing white flower so my bet that website is yours.
Thanks for visiting my blog and taking the time to comment.
Really like the luminosity of the orchids. Awesome!
DeleteVery wonderful flower painting with so amazing colours and light !!!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice and creative day, Julie !!!
Thanks and I hope I will.
DeleteWhen I saw your wonderful blue windows - I thought the same as you wrote here...amazing colors and light. You really do capture beautiful light in all your paintings.
I did leave a comment ...I did, I did!
ReplyDeleteWhere...where... Thanks mucho John. It happens to me too. I KNOW I have commented and then have to wonder where did the rotten computer fairy put it! Always good to hear from you and did I miss a 'funny'???
DeleteWow, Julie! Quite apart from the stunningly beautiful flowers, I'm totally blown away by the light in this painting! It's super! You are pure genius!
ReplyDeleteSharon
You make me feel great! Thanks so much. Especially coming from an accomplished flower painter. Lucky you being able to paint in Kew Gardens.
DeleteYou've said it when you refer to the light of these beauties, Julie! Really gorgeous and a sunlight effect is what I was seeing too. Stunning work!!
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry - thanks for finding the time to comment. I know how busy you are and now that long commute.
DeleteHope you get chance to rest this weekend.
They really are an amazing and beautiful flower aren't they? Your results are lovely as always:)
ReplyDeleteI have the was idea tucked away. Thank you!
They are indeed. I have some orchids with tiny pink spots on it and I am trying to figure out how to paint them. I love the arc but the green leaves are so far apart I tend to look for shorter ones.
DeleteCongratulations on your blue ribbon - wonderful news.
These orchids are absolutely beautiful Julie! Perfect title for this painting!!!
ReplyDeleteI took your last painting of your hydrangeas and used it as a study for painting flowers...Wow! did I butcher it up...lol. It looked so easy!! Needless to say, I trashed it . ! I'm waiting for my own hydrangeas to bloom so I can try again!!!
Thanks Hilda - I laughed reading that you found out how difficult hydrangeas can be. I had a few wipers on this one. Good job I had my colored sketch to go with the photos. I will look forward to seeing what you do when yours bloom.
DeleteStumbled on your blog by chance. Amazing work. So inspiring and so much to learn.
ReplyDeleteHi AK - welcome. I enjoyed going to your blog and seeing the incredible work you do. The helicopter is brilliant. I feel you do not have to learn anything.
DeleteYou are already doing.
Sorry AK - I finished without completing. ... doing fabulous work!
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteI am volunteering at the local conservatory, so I now have much greater familiarity with these exotic plants. They are truly amazing. And sometimes, especially the hybrids, bizarre.
Neat to know you are working with the plants...what a worthwhile volunteering job. Good for you.
DeleteOrchids are totally amazing. I spent quite a few hours in the Singapore airport and I was thrilled with it having actual ORCHID GARDENS. I never had any idea that there were so many varieties.
I was interested to read that you didn't paint the bird in the tree. It just happened. That is truly being in tune with your painting.
This painting is absolutely fabulous. I like very much the color combination, and the orchids really catch one's eyes to directly look at them. Thank you also for the information on how to use wax.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cora. Happy you visited.
DeleteI was admiring the colors in your new rose painting but it is the way you caught the structure of the rose which really impressed me.
This is just beautiful, Julie! And thank you for sharing your technique. Can't wait to check it out.
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie - I adore your use of color and think what you do is extra wonderful.
DeleteThanks for the visit.
My new favorite!!
ReplyDeleteLovely comment - bless you and thanks.
DeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! You kept the painting so fresh.
Audrey
Thanks, Audrey - And I think you kept your building fresh and strong and your mark making is wonderful.
DeleteThe painting is incredibly beautiful! My jaw will remain open for a while!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim - I hope you are proud of your new portrait. It is wonderful!
DeleteThanks for showing the WIP steps. I enjoyed them very much.
Glad you like my orchid. I laughed at your comment...
Thank you for the information! your orchid painting is beautiful Julie!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your comment - especially from someone who is a master at orchids. Love your painting Chantelle's Orchids.
DeleteBeautiful light in this...just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joan, Just saw what beautiful hair you have on your blog. Your paintings in the show look lovely.
Deletejust gorgeous---what sublime color!
ReplyDeleteThanks Celeste. Color affects my heart like I can tell it does yours.
DeleteThese orchids are glowing in the dark , a true beauty ! Went back to look at how to wax, great information.
ReplyDeletethey did appear to glow so thank you, Jane.
DeleteI like your new painting very much. I have stood looking out to sea exactly like that.
I have some of these panel but never liked the spray varnish look. Thanks for sharing. Also lovely painting, it just amazes me how you can adapt to creating wonderful artwork using any medium on any surface.
ReplyDeleteI agree - I do not like the spay look at all. I know some who prefer it and that is what is nice about art. Room for all tastes!
DeleteLove your magnolia and lucky you being able to move from flower to portrait with such ease. Sounds like a great fund raiser.
Your orchids seem smiling , as some flowers that it is easy to superimpose faces (pansies, anemones, sunflowers...) or at least that happens to people like me who comes into resonance with flowers.. They will be happy those who receive this great gift because it looks so cheerful!
ReplyDelete(Wax finish also liked me more than varnish (tested by me) , too alien to" watercolor presence", again thanks for sharing).
I agree - orchids do have a smile. I know they bring a smile to my face.
DeleteThat is a heartwarming story about your father on your blog. I enjoyed it very much.
Wow! These orchids are stunning! They glow and that washy background is amazing. Really wow!
ReplyDeleteWashy background - love it, thanks.
ReplyDeleteHow did you manage to make your chaerries look so moist and plump? I love the beautiful red color.