Wednesday 25 August 2010

Chained to the Kitchen Table

Well the pot of flowers was still standing on the kitchen table so it seemed rude to ignore it and go out this morning, besides which Sheila was hatching plans to get me off to B and Q for Seniors Reduction Day. So, quick as a flash the water pot was filled and the paints laid bare. So here is today's effort.

My main point in learning while doing these still life pictures is the value of sound brushwork, particularly with regard to the softening of edges. Hopefully this is a skill that I'm beginning to improve.

Still Life August 25th - Watercolour on Not paper 12" x 9"

9 comments:

Peter Ward said...

The tecnique is coming along fine Mick. Very CR. I haven't done anything recently in the still life area but I love the combinations of flowers and fruit/objects etc that CR does so well. I need to rearrange my `studio' a little so I get the light coming in from the side rather than at the back. By the way have you received the two e-mails I've sent? One on Moldau the other regarding our September project.

Unknown said...

Thanks again Peter. Yes I've received the one about the next project, you seem interested in making them pretty complex. That's good, it means lots of thought before hand. I've not received the one about Moldau, I've hesitated to ask, the saga seems so long. Are you about to report successful delivery and lots of opportunity to try it out?

Caroline Simmill said...

I am so pleased to hear you dodged going to B and Q! Your flowers are very beautiful. It is interesting to see how realistic the flowers look and this is the result of careful loose watercolour painting. The result is a very fresh and delicate looking painting with lovely colour harmony.

Unknown said...

Caroline - Thanks again. Looking forward to seeing your post Reid flowers. The man has a knack of getting under your skin.

Caroline Simmill said...

Mick I did post a thread with some watercolour flowers I did the other day on WetCanvas watercolour section. The girls there were so helpful. Have you worked with rock salt on your watercolour washes?

Unknown said...

Caroline - Some interesting technique in your flowers. I have experimented with salt and found that I preferred the effects with plenty of pigment in the wash. Having said that I don't use it much as I prefer the effects of water and paint without other agents, it seems to my eye that you get cleaner and more vibrant washes.

Caroline Simmill said...

I have ordered the Charles Reid book from Abebooks! it should be with me sometime next week! how exciting I had to let you know!
Katherine on WetCanvas did say that it is the paint more than the watery washes that give the best effects with the salt, yet I also noticed some of the thin areas of paint actually worked the best. It is very much hit and miss at the moment. I am really looking forward to seeing what Charles Reid has to say in his book!

Gina Brown said...

Very beautiful, Mick. I love the absent spaces within this composition, allowing me to fill in the gaps. Very nice!

Unknown said...

Gina - Thanks so much for visiting and for your kind comment.