Youthful glow

 

6" x 8"

oil on linen panel (by Ray Mar)

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I'm back and hopefully will be posting on a consistent basis throughout the summer.  I had a lot of fun with the background on this one.  I wanted to keep it soft and blurred to make the rose bud pop.  Enjoying my blurry circles.  With the bud, I worked to get the smaller detail to help make it the focus.  

Reference photo was taken on May 16.  These peach roses were in full bloom on the path leading from the Dawn Redwood to the lake.

"The New Kid"

 6 x 8"

oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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I struggled a bit with this one and ended up re-doing the flower because it had gotten too tight.  I'm trying to keep the brushwork loose.  The background, however, came easily and I'm very pleased with my circles.  The softness is a nice contrast.  This new kid would be a great match for "Longing."

The reference photo was taken on September 26.  It was a great day for roses.  Please note that I've added some share buttons to each posting.  Use them to spread the word and share with friends and family.  That would really help me out.  Thanks!

"Longing"

 

6 x 8" 

oil on linen panel (Ray Mar)

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This one went fairly quickly.  I started by putting down a sepia ground and then rubbing out the lightest shapes with a cloth.  Then I sketched with a brush using a dark alizarin crimson.  After the shapes were how I wanted them, I painted the darkest colors and background, keeping it soft.  The next day I completed the flower.  The highlights worked out very well.  This one will be hard to part with.

The reference photo was taken on August 8.  It was the day of the rose path.  With so many beautiful subjects, the trick was to find pleasing compositions.  I liked how the background flowers look ghostly. 

"Rose for Texas"

 

5¾ x 5¾"

 watercolor on mounted Arches Cold Press

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I'm trying this Artboard mounted watercolor paper again which really soaks up the color.  It has a softness to it. It felt good to be working on paper again because you can layer it.  Seeing through the various layers gives a nice glazing affect.  I am very pleased with how I was able to make the tiny roses pop using the contrasting colors as well.  

Reference photo was taken on April 10.  These rose bushes were right at the end of the rose circular path over the higher wall.  They are small clusters of blooming tiny yellow roses.  The lusciousness of the blooming bush is a treat.  Zooming in on the details that creates that is what I love to do.

"Rose Path" 6x8" oil

 

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This one went quicker than many of the others.  Maybe I'm gaining a little more confidence with these oils. I'm not as fussy and tentative.  I really like how the sky turned out.  It has a plein air feel.  So does the path. 

Reference photo was taken on April 10.  It was nice to pull back a little.  Those who are familiar with the gardens can place yourselves on the circular rose path.

"Coming Up" 8x6in oil

 

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I'm carrying over the focus on the background circles from the last painting in a big way in this one.  I wanted to paint them loose and thin at first, and then add thicker brushstrokes.  They definitely became prominent.  The vertical worked well as the bud is coming up.  Can you hear that little bud singing to Diana Ross's "I'm coming out?" (of course replacing "out" with "up").  

The reference photo was taken on August 29.  There were so many beautiful blooming roses it was easy to take many photos.  The trick was finding ones with a little more interest either with composition or light. 

"What's Red for?" 6x6" watercolor

 

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I love how the aquaboard handled the red.  So vibrant! This one also took longer than one session.  I got wrapped up in the background circles.  I also wanted to make sure the greens were right.  Greens can be tough.  The trick is to always, always, always mix your own greens.  No tube colors.  Using a variety of hues adds depth and interest.  

This reference photo was taken on August 8 in the rose garden.  They are all blooming beautifully.  You'll be seeing more roses.