Personal Art Blog

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

Friday, March 24, 2017

Daffodils and Hyacinths - Watercolor





Daffs and Hyacinths
6x6in aquabord watercolor SOLD

Artist Note
Spring and all the beauty it brings.
The Quail have had their first babies.
Nests are being used all over the place.
The daffodils are up -
blossoms are on the trees
and the
March winds have been
a'blowing!

This painting is on aquabord.
I quite like the way the colors absorb
into its dimpled surface,
creating a different appearance
than on paper.

The best part of course is
that no glass is required.
I prefer to wax for protection,
but a couple of layers
with a light spray of varnish
is also perfect.



44 comments:

  1. I've Never tried watercolour or aquabord but it works really well here; the texture looks 'strokeable' (good word I made up). The hyacinths really make the daffodils ping.

    Terrific painting, I would expect a demand for encores.

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    Replies
    1. Clever word - O 'wordmaster! Yes, easy to stroke and lift.
      It does have a slightly pitted surface texture so it may be difficult for totally detailed work. The colors stay rich but for me it is the lack of having to place glass over it which is the pull.
      I am doing daffs in oil. Thick luscious oil!
      Enjoy your weekend...boating?

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  2. Replies
    1. Nature is beautiful - especially at this time of year.
      Also pretty frightening with weather conditions like they have been.
      Hope the piano key fixin' continues to be recorded.

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  3. Dear Julie this is beautiful. I love the dreamy quality of this piece. So impressionistic. Your peacock and rose painting from the previous post is so gorgeous. Like Jane said I do think the rose won in this one. Hope things slow down and you find time to rest. Hugs!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, watercolor can do soft very easily. Even if you don't want it to. Definitely a layering medium. Easy to lift off on Aquabord which attracts me.
      Your bulbs are popping through the soil right now so long forward to what Mother Nature brings. have a lovely weekend, my friend.

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  4. Wow Julie! This is stunning! Incredibly beautiful!

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    Replies
    1. Lovely comment - thanks, Mona.
      I thought your painting of the two Iris was stunning too. Really vibrant with the beautiful colors you chose. .

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  5. Wow, Julie, what a stunning painting. The vibrant colors are stunningly dramatic, and you've delineated the forms of the daffs so beautifully -- they're almost three-dimensional! How very accomplished you are!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Helene. I think the daffodil was the first flower I was shown how to draw in early school. First we cut out the trumpet shape from yellow construction paper and then using wallpaper scraps we cut out the petals. I think I was 6, and can still remember every detail of it. It certainly made me understand its construction. So thank you, but no, not really accomplished but do have an understanding of its form.
      Enjoy your weekend, dear Helene.

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  6. What a wow piece, Julie. Absolutely stunning, both palette, design, and detail. I sure noticed your light play in the petals.

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    Replies
    1. Would love to see you paint them, Sherry. Daffs are easy to do because of their distinctive and shape.
      I like what you did in your sketchbook.

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  7. Absolutely, the epitome of gorgeous-ness! The absorption of paint into the aquabord is spell-binding. It appears to have layers and layers because of this. What kind of wax do you use?

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    Replies
    1. I use the Renaissance Wax, Carol. I did a post abput it https://juliefordoliver.blogspot.com/search?q=wax+of+choice+is
      Fabulous stuff. Dries almost immediately. A couple of light layers and it becomes waterproof. did not life off my watercolor either when putting it on with knife.

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  8. Gorgeous. I really love your Watercolors Julie. What type of wax do you use on top? I love the effect of wax and I can see how it would work on watercolor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dean - here is the link to my post about the wax
      https://juliefordoliver.blogspot.com/search?q=wax+of+choice+is
      I tried several different brands.
      Nice to know you like this piece. Thank you.

      Delete
    2. Forgot to mention how much a really enjoyed your marvelous post about the fascinating acrylic demo by Elaine Hatch.
      I appreciated all the information on technique and products.

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  9. Don't know what to say that hasn't been said. Ditto, ditto, ditto!!!

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  10. Just love that texture! (and of course the beautiful flowers!) I enjoyed Aquabord a lot when I painted directly. It's a really nice surface.
    Libby

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    Replies
    1. I remember your aquabord work, Libby. Lots of changes since then. Look how you are moving into the dimensional work with the columns.
      Enjoy your weekend.

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  11. Nice painting watercolor on this surface, rare yet in Italy.I love more than varnish wax idea. Your vision,as this springtime flowers composition, can be painting in all media on all surfaces, from your art.Always Julie,always Bravo.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, dear Rita.
      And I was bravo-ing back at you with your stunning floral. The richness of the colors are especially stunning.

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  12. very dreamy looking :D love the colours

    does the spray varnish leaves spray marks/dots?

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    Replies
    1. I have found spray rather unsatisfactory, but do like the wax.
      Yes...spray can spot, but I usually test first and hold it far enough away so the the heavier blobs fall before the reach the surface.
      I LOL out your description of War And Peace. BBB - hilarious and so true.

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    2. thanks for the info :) do you brush the wax on? does it mess with the colours? sorry for all the questions, just curious since I can't do much painting at the moment I'm still trying to learn tho :)

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    3. Hi Jennifer - here is a link to a short video of how I apply the wax. (You can hear my Manchester accent!)
      https://juliefordoliver.blogspot.com/search?q=wax+of+choice+is

      Delete
    4. finally had time to watch the video :) thank you for linking to the blog post about the wax
      and I love that you actually managed to talk to someone at the BM about it lol :)

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  13. WoW, WoW, WoW, it's just so beautiful, I'm not surprised someone scooped it up!! I love the colors!!

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    Replies
    1. I love the colors also, Debbie. Green doesn't rock the yellow like the blues and purples do.
      Enjoy the trip to Washington and I loved seeing the blossom pics.

      Delete
  14. Oh, the colors and textures in this are so gorgeous!!! I've never tried aquaboard. That could be a new adventure. lol

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    Replies
    1. It does have a slight inverted texture that may not tale line too well but your style could work very well on it. Give it a go. I liked it right away - you may too.

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  15. Beautiful Julie and I love the colors. I must try the aquabord again...

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    Replies
    1. With your style I can see the aquaboard having some uses. I love the way you change a photo to suit what you feel about a view. You add so much more emotion to your work.
      Thanks for the visit.

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  16. Here in Kentucky I'm looking at all the same things. This is so lovely and you taught me something about painting daffodils just by looking. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Are you getting busy for your Art camps? I bet they take a a lot of planning. You have been doing it for quite a while now
      and will have a comfort level but the wonderful new studio space adds a whole different dimension. Exciting.

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  17. This is really the most beautiful combination of colors, so pretty!! I would love to try aquabord, but am worried about the varnishing. Waxing sounds like a great alternative.

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    Replies
    1. Yes - I understand, Celia, I do not like the varnish look at all. It makes a watercolor look like a print.
      I have a little video on how to wax on several of my answers to this blog.
      Have a great week.

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  18. A wonderful combination of two glorious spring flowers and as usual masterfully painted .

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    Replies
    1. Yes - we both have spring flowers on our latest posts. Tulips are wonderful and I want to paint them. Yours are so pretty with the white roses.

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  19. There is no limit to your ability, Julie - I am in awe!

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  20. These "dafs" are just alive. Beautiful painting. Love how you can go from one medium to another.

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  21. An award winning color combo! No one can ignore yellow/blue. Great rendering, Julie.

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  22. Love this Julie! Everything about it, thank you for sharing !

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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