Personal Art Blog

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

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Orchid Light - Waxing Watercolor


Orchid Light

6"x 6" watercolor on Aquabord  
waxed finish.
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.




59 comments:

  1. Beautiful Julie. I watched your video about waxing too. I never knew about this. Looks wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you watched it. The wax gives a softer finish and I like that.
      Thanks for the visit, Carol. Love your azaleas.

      Delete
  2. The light is beautiful and the orchids just dance across the page! Gorgeous watercolor, Julie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank You Celia. Nice comment.
      I was intrigued by how you drew the mixer beaters. Not easy to get them to look like they could whirl at any moment.

      Delete
  3. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How neat is that! Glad to hear the timing is right one the dot!
      It 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

      Delete
  4. 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....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Melle, thanks for such a nice comment. I laughed!
      Your great sense of humor comes through on your blog.
      Love the way the sun its your hay bales.

      Delete
  5. It's been said. They dance across the painting. Such great energy in this one!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh my, Julie ~ this is simply exquisite. I love the simplicity of form and those colors really captivate. What a beautiful piece!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I 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.

      Delete
  7. Thanks 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank 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?
      You 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.

      Delete
    2. Really like the luminosity of the orchids. Awesome!

      Delete
  8. Very wonderful flower painting with so amazing colours and light !!!
    Have a nice and creative day, Julie !!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks and I hope I will.
      When 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.

      Delete
  9. I did leave a comment ...I did, I did!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Where...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'???

      Delete
  10. Wow, 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!
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You make me feel great! Thanks so much. Especially coming from an accomplished flower painter. Lucky you being able to paint in Kew Gardens.

      Delete
  11. You'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!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sherry - thanks for finding the time to comment. I know how busy you are and now that long commute.
      Hope you get chance to rest this weekend.

      Delete
  12. They really are an amazing and beautiful flower aren't they? Your results are lovely as always:)

    I have the was idea tucked away. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.
      Congratulations on your blue ribbon - wonderful news.

      Delete
  13. These orchids are absolutely beautiful Julie! Perfect title for this painting!!!
    I 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!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

      Delete
  14. Stumbled on your blog by chance. Amazing work. So inspiring and so much to learn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi 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.
      You are already doing.

      Delete
    2. Sorry AK - I finished without completing. ... doing fabulous work!

      Delete
  15. Beautiful.

    I 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neat to know you are working with the plants...what a worthwhile volunteering job. Good for you.
      Orchids 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.

      Delete
  16. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cora. Happy you visited.
      I 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.

      Delete
  17. This is just beautiful, Julie! And thank you for sharing your technique. Can't wait to check it out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laurie - I adore your use of color and think what you do is extra wonderful.
      Thanks for the visit.

      Delete
  18. Julie,
    Absolutely gorgeous! You kept the painting so fresh.
    Audrey

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Audrey - And I think you kept your building fresh and strong and your mark making is wonderful.

      Delete
  19. The painting is incredibly beautiful! My jaw will remain open for a while!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kim - I hope you are proud of your new portrait. It is wonderful!
      Thanks for showing the WIP steps. I enjoyed them very much.
      Glad you like my orchid. I laughed at your comment...

      Delete
  20. Thank you for the information! your orchid painting is beautiful Julie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I appreciate your comment - especially from someone who is a master at orchids. Love your painting Chantelle's Orchids.

      Delete
  21. Beautiful light in this...just gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Joan, Just saw what beautiful hair you have on your blog. Your paintings in the show look lovely.

      Delete
  22. just gorgeous---what sublime color!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Celeste. Color affects my heart like I can tell it does yours.

      Delete
  23. These orchids are glowing in the dark , a true beauty ! Went back to look at how to wax, great information.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. they did appear to glow so thank you, Jane.
      I like your new painting very much. I have stood looking out to sea exactly like that.

      Delete
  24. 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I 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!
      Love your magnolia and lucky you being able to move from flower to portrait with such ease. Sounds like a great fund raiser.

      Delete
  25. 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!
    (Wax finish also liked me more than varnish (tested by me) , too alien to" watercolor presence", again thanks for sharing).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree - orchids do have a smile. I know they bring a smile to my face.
      That is a heartwarming story about your father on your blog. I enjoyed it very much.

      Delete
  26. Wow! These orchids are stunning! They glow and that washy background is amazing. Really wow!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Washy background - love it, thanks.
    How did you manage to make your chaerries look so moist and plump? I love the beautiful red color.

    ReplyDelete

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