"Face It"

6 x 8"

Oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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My goal in this one was to use fewer brush strokes and to be sure I got it complete in one session.  I accomplished both, though it was harder to stay loose with the smaller strokes in the more detailed middle of the flower.  I found it near impossible to get the true pinks I wanted with these oils.  The lighter pink became more opaque than I wanted.  I need to figure out how to mix a good fuschia.  Not sure it's possible.  Still, you get the idea of the bright light hitting those petals.

Reference photo was taken on January 23, 2011. It was a beautiful and warmer day, so I was hoping to find more camellia's opening up.  Could not find any fully open that also had good lighting on them. This one was near the President's Bridge as you are walking on the path towards Azalea Court.

"Bold Sentinel"

8 x 6"

oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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There are several things that I love about this painting: the color combination, the strong directional lines, the depth of field, and the soft background camellia.  I worry, however, about that big, bold, dark green leaf.  Does it overpower?  It's one of those times, you just have to sit with it for a while.  It definitely makes me want to keep looking at it.

Reference photo was taken on December 27.  More camellia buds basking in the sun after that snowy day. These were also up behind the new fish pond. 

"Solo"

5¾ x 5¾"

watercolor on mounted Arches Rough (Art Boards)

$75 + $10 shipping within the US

The hardest part about painting this one was getting the underside of that sideways leaf the correct color. You'd think dark green since it's in the shade, but it was reflecting the snow, so had a gray cast. Tricky.  I think I pulled it off.  Also worked hard to get the main leaf to look waxy and thick. Again, a bit tricky, but it turned out to my liking. Still, it took longer than expected, which is why this is posted today and not on Friday.  Hope to get back to posting three a week.

Reference photo taken on December 27. Yes, that same snowy day.  This lucky camellia bud was in the sun, so all the snow had melted off.  

"Patient Camellia"

6 x 8"

Oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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Thank goodness for snow days!  I got this one done in one sitting. Hopefully I can get more done like that.  I'm particularly pleased with the shadows on the snow.  

Reference photo was taken on December 27.  It was a fun day to be stomping through the snow with my sister-in-law and young niece.  This Camellia bush is located up behind the newly renovated fish pond. I took a "winter wonderland" photo of the terrace: