I actually managed to do some painting today! I didn’t complete what I started out to do, but I have made good progress and a painting is emerging.
Dianella, work-in-progress, acrylic on board, approx. 400 x 600 mm.
It is the biggest painting I have attempted since I started this art adventure last year, so it is taking a little time. Eventually it will be a rendition of Dianella revoluta, a local species known as a Flax Lily. It has brilliant blue flowers hanging upside down over thin strap-like foliage. I will be adding some flowers to the composition once I have the leaves at a satisfactory level (they are still extremely rough in this picture, very much early days in the painting process). Although I love the flowers, it was actually the foliage that attracted me to do this painting. At the base of leaves they join together in…oh, crap…I just realised that I haven’t done it correctly. Hmmm…oh, well, thank goodness this is acrylic, I’ll be painting over part of this, or maybe just adapting to fix. Anyway, I was attracted to the colours in the leaves. They shade from a dark green through to an almost yellow and then each leaf has a fine red-brown lining to it. I’ve exaggerated these aspects in the painting, because I like them so much.
I’ve also done some more experimenting with the glazing effect I discovered in my last painting and I’m finding it really useful. If I glaze repeatedly, it gives that extra bit of depth to the work. I will be experimenting more.
This painting is intended to be part of my Black Forest Project.
I also did a little more on my Red Parrot Pea watercolour this morning (I can do that inside while watching the kids…if they let me), but it still has a way to go. I have a lot of WIPs sitting around my art desk at the moment. I think it might be time to finish some of them.
Anyways, please make sure you drop by Paint Party Friday to check out all the other inspirational peeps in this wonderful challenge.
Best wishes,
Liz
(almost asleep at the computer again)
Comments
24 responses to “Paint Party Friday – more experiments with acrylics”
oooh, this is cool. I love the colors…and the different variations of shadows and tones…and the light. the green is gorgeous,too. i like the close up persepctive too! have a great friday.
this is a great start. it could even be finished! I like it.
I like that you have chosen the stem/leaves of the plant. You have some really nice detail and highlights on this painting. Wonderful!
you are honoring this plant wonderfully. sweet light in it.
WOW I can’t wait to see it with the flowers. I think your leaves are amazing!
I LOVE your painting… even without the flowers, I actually prefer no flowers on this myself. I am amazed as I look at it because I have this very “look and feel” in my head to paint. I started to browse your blog and it seems we have some similarities as I read how your write your blog and your art. I love you Black Forest project and your red parrot pea has turned out great.
Love this! What an amazing image you have created. 🙂
Oh wow this is terrific am so loving your creation. Would you let me know what glaze you are talking about as it sounds interesting as never heard of this. Is it used only on acrylics. Sorry about the questions but am interested and still very new to art. Happy Easter, Annette x
LOL, reading this tickled me. I am always spotting my mistakes after uploading the photo. Those of us who don’t know this lily would never spot the mistake. I think it is wonderful that you have set a goal for an exhibition! I wish I could get myself to do it, but I never seem to paint anything big anymore. Maybe you will inspire me to make that extra effort, when I see yours come together. Not to put extra pressure on you or anything, LOL.
Great movement and colour variation. Love the red line along some of the leaves.
Beautiful. I love the rich coloring and texture.
so well done – great piece of art
Fabulous work..I think it is gorgeous, vibrant and full of life..wonderful piece!Glazing is so aweome..it brings such power and depth to a piece..your work is stunning!
victoria~
This is gorgeous! It even looks like it could be finished. I’m sure it will be amazing when you’re done.
Wow, you had me so interested that I googled the plant….the flower reminds me of evening night shade. You have done a amazing job so far. I was going g to say to add a praying mantis since the leaves looked a bit like the wings of the critter…kind of camouflage him in amongst the foliage…….silly me. Now I know where you are headed. Look forward to it’s completion.
Happy Easter : )
The leaves are coming alive! Wow…I love the lighting and shading you’ve done so far. I think you’ll achieve what you want because so far it looks flawless. Great work!!
Oh I am LOVING this- especially the way you exaggerated the edges with the bits of red- fabulous! I can’t wait to see it finished!
Happy PPF (a day late ;))
Stephanie
This is gorgeous! I want to touch it, it’s so realistic. I love the color, the light, everything about it. Beautiful work!
It is always so fun to stop by and see what you’re up to! I love seeing all your experiments and wips (I know what you mean about finishing some up! ha!)
Have a wonderful weekend!
xo
Kristin
Looks like you have a great start here, it will be fun to see your finished painting.
This is lovely, the highlights are fantastic,I can feel that shaft of light that its catching 🙂 I really like the fact you have chosen just the leaves to paint, so striking!
I love the composition of this piece, how its a close up of the leaves. It makes me feel like a trek in a jungle with the lush foliage. The light and shade is wonderful.
I thought it was a photograph, Liz, it is so beautifully real! Wow!!!
And how great you included the tutorial too given this week’s PPF theme.
I’m looking forward to seeing more!
Wow I love this. You have a lot of depth in this painting. I can not wait to see it finished. You inspire me.