Personal Art Blog

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

Friday, January 22, 2016

Single Bloom


Single Bloom
6x6in oil on canvas panel $110. SOLD


Artist Note

I thought a close-up
of a single blossom
would be easy.
Sigh...
I did enjoy painting it though 
and that is the reason
I paint.
The pleasure of it
 cannot be beat.
Struggle included.

Have a lovely weekend
and for those of you
in the big storm area,
be safe...
be warm...

44 comments:

  1. So NICE and focused!
    You probably learned so much = )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love the circle in your latest painting. I am so impressed with how many you have done for the challenge. Only a few more to go.
      I learned so much...hmmm....each painting seems to be a learning experience. I think what I learned was a close up needs more detail or it is just a shape of color.

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Thank you Sharon.
      It is a treat to visit your blog. Such amazing photos. The owl in flight is a real stunner!

      Delete
  3. Julie,

    Now you have me wondering what the difficulty was! Controlling details maybe? That is something I have had real problems with. Maybe it's the idea that there is nowhere to hide with such a close up view? You are going to have to tell us! LOL:)

    Your bloom is beautiful though, no matter the struggle. It looks wonderfully delicate yet structured, if that makes sense:)
    Libby

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The difficulty was having to be more detailed - I have worked hard at not being too realistic, but this painting only worked when I did the center in a fully detailed way. There were quite a few wipe offs until then. I should have realized that before I started. My viewpoint of looking into the flower started it. Side view would have been easier but it did not appeal to me.
      Looking forward to seeing your next post, Libby.

      Delete
  4. Oh, this is stunning Julie! You did a fabulous job with the close-up. The details you have in the centre of the flower look amazing. You are so clever with the nuanced shades in the white petals. Is it a passionfruit flower?
    Absolutely love everything about it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Wendy.
      Nope - it is a white poppy. I do not know the exact type. They are rather beautiful and the center is stunning.
      We are both painting a single blossom I see. I love the way yours has such dimension and color.

      Delete
  5. Wonderful. Love the subtle greens and purples in the petals against the very light greenish-yellowish color in the bud. And the knife and finger work gives it motion. Great job.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The color changes in this blossom are fabulous. Stunning lesson in values. Looking closely you can see the variations, another beauty Julie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Blanche. I have enjoyed seeing your daily paintings for the challenge.

      Delete
  7. sorry that you found it difficult to paint, doesn't look like it :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad it doesn't -thats because I wipe everything off and start fresh.
      I learned a long time ago to not make mud by trying to correct by painting
      over and over while wet.
      Watercolor is different as you know. You are a master with it.

      Delete
  8. Hi Julie:) I love this! I'm so glad you chose a white bloom to paint up close. The shadows are beautiful, and I love that little ruffled edge in the bottom left corner, but I especially love the way you have made the stamens...did you scratch them in?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks - so pleased you like it Leesa. Yes - I scratched in some of the stamens. Good eye!
      Looking forward to seeing your new work.

      Delete
  9. Looking at this I want to reach out and touch the petals...just lovely!! We did get a bit of snow today...so far about 16-18 inches and it should continue for a few hours more. I spent the day inside doing artwork and watching movies. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You sure had the storm of the century and I love your sketch of the snow covered cars. A wonderful record of the event.

      Delete
  10. I don't see the struggle, just the wonderful result with those beautiful shades of purple and the amazingly detailed center .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jennifer thought the same and as I told her...it doesn't look like a struggle because I wipe off and start again and in this case - quite a few times. It was the center that saved it.
      I marveled at your new painting. great title - Uncertainty.

      Delete
  11. Dear Julie - it may have been a challenge but no one would know it looking at your perfect strokes. I agree with Joan - could just reach out and touch it - looks so life like. Glad to read Joan is safe from the storm. It missed us by about 30 miles - which at this time of the year would only take a slight shift in the wind to have hit us too. Hope you have a great day. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy the storm missed you, Debbie. So much disruption. Joan made the most of it by sketching out of her window. True artist!
      Love your new post - so inspirational and your flowers are lovely.

      Delete
  12. Say no more ...exquisite ... such a blend of realism, suggestion and texture. Glorious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so nice, John - thanks for the warm fuzzy.
      So pleased to see you are back painting. Great idea to do smaller ones to get back into the swing of it.

      Delete
  13. Wonderful painting Julie !!!
    Have a nice and creative week !!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much -I am always happy visiting your wonderful paintings.

      Delete
  14. Wonderful! Full of texture, I love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Cathy - i got a kick out of your ghostbuster painting. Your skills are wonderful. Color and rendering seem to flow easily for you.

      Delete
  15. What a beauty, Julie! Mesmerizing - all those ruffles and shadows. It's hard to take my eyes away from it! Is it a poppy? We have a white Mexican Poppy in this area that has crinkles as this does.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes - it is a poppy and it does crinkle. Nice to know it has aa name. I do know the center changes color on some of them. Thanks for the visit my friend. Hope you are painting and having fun.

      Delete
  16. Julie, so beautiful. Love the way you have captured the white of the flower with subtle tonal changes and color. Just gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Joan - thank you for the lovely comment and also for mentioning my video on your blog by showing your beautiful painting. You have a generous heart.

      Delete
  17. I can smell it and feel the softness of the petals. Lovely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Helen - pleased you like it. What about you -are you painting?

      Delete
  18. I wish I enjoyed struggling....I am not there yet. I whine like a big baby.

    This flower is absolutely stunning...especially the itty bitty details in the center. So delicate and it looks like it would actually move if you blew on it. Wow Julie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I whine too. When it is a struggle - which is in the middle of nearly every painting I feel I should NOT be an artist and wonder what and the heck I am doing. Perseverance wins out and I pat myself on the back and enjoy the feeling of a finished painting. It is lifelong learning isn't it?
      Thanks for your visit, dear Lisa. I have so admired your women and children series. You have a magic vision.

      Delete
  19. You can take a simple bloom and turn it into a masterpiece. Love all the shades in each petal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sharon - Are you in Florida yet? Do you paint when you are there for the winter?
      Thanks for you lovely comment.

      Delete
  20. Oh! What a feast!! Simply stunning, Julie!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Julie,

    I got behind in my blog hopping trying to do my best for the Challenge, so I'm here trying to catch up with what you have been up to.

    I hope it's ok to say that much as I admire Georgia O'Keefe, too, I FAR prefer to look at one of your paintings, in your style, including the above. You have such a great touch with color and light, edges and composition. I appreciate the way you share everything. Your heart shines through your blog, and your heart is every bit a work of art as your paintings are.

    Well, my lunch hour is almost over and I've gone on and on, so it will be another time before I can fully catch up on the work you have done.

    Best to you, until next time...

    ReplyDelete
  22. you always somehow surprise....love the "mild" color here!

    ReplyDelete
  23. The beauty in the texture is gorgeous! I feel rich just looking at it!

    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