Tuesday, April 28, 2015

time for flowers

There is something so joyful about seeing my lilac bush blooming in the spring. Last spring we had a late freeze and it didn't bloom at all. So I am delighted to see the blossoms this year in spite of our cool days and night time freezing temperatures. These sprigs of lilac were sketched with watercolor only in my hand made sketchbook.

The first wild-flower of the year is like land after sea.
-Thomas Wentworth Higginson, "April Days"

And here is a sneak peek at my current painting in progress. The image I photographed last summer at our local farmers' market. I am taking my time with this one, so many shapes in this composition! It is often tempting to go too dark with some values and not dark enough with others, so it was helpful to get that central dark area established early on.
Shape by shape, I enjoy dropping in color and allowing the wet pigment work its magic on the surface of the paper. This is one of those paintings that I can envision in its finished state. I can only go along for the ride until the journey is complete and hope it doesn't disappoint.

5 comments:

Jennifer Rose said...

gorgeous colours as usual :) lovely yellows!

Its been really chilly here lately so i am glad nothing has really started to bloom or it would just die :/

Autumn Leaves said...

Lilacs...sigh...my favorite flower! Haven't seen them here...yet. Love this little painting and that sunflower piece is looking like a masterpiece!

Celia Blanco said...

It will surely not disappoint, it already looks amazing! I love the happy bright sunflowers! Beautiful freshness in your lilac sketch!

SusanA said...

I love your lilac sketch, Ann. I've been wanting to cut some of my lilacs to paint when they open, but in my mind, I've been getting caught up in the detail of all those tiny flowers. But your loose rendering has inspired me to relax! I love it!

Laura Leeder said...

Love the freshness of the lilacs. I've just moved and no longer have a lilac tree on my property....sigh...I'm going to have to beg for cuttings.

Sunflower is looking great!

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin