I posted this close-up pic on Instagram and had a hunch that I would paint it and possibly add some elements of collage. I wasn’t sure though. So I started out slowly drawing the contours in pencil. So many times, I am unclear as to how I will proceed with a drawing/painting, but just beginning, making a start, almost always reveals what I want to do next.
*Note: I do not trace my photographs. I know there are artists who do this and that’s their decision. But I think tracing cuts out half the fun! I love to prop the photo on my iPad up in front of me and draw in my sketchbook looking back and forth for shape sizes and line intersections.
I decided I wanted to keep the line work evident, but to switch up the line quality. So I chose a Sharpie Fine Pen, a grease pencil, and a bic pen to give three different textures to the lines. For some reason (a hunch) I wanted to leave the lilies in pencil thinking I might collage them or something else.
I began to lay in color, bright, oozly and wazzly color…
At this point the idea of adding in collage elements was pretty strong in my mind, but I wanted painted color everywhere, even under whatever I might collage.
So I scoured magazines for oranges, and pilfered my paper stash for other decorative papers…
The collage part was so much fun! But it does take a bit of time choosing just the right papers, where they might go, cutting them into just the right shapes, deciding how much or how little to collage.
But in then end it was so worth it! This is my favorite of all the recent florals!
I love the jewel tones of watercolor juxtaposed with the bright textured papers. It’s difficult to see in a photograph, but there are shiny bits of paper that just add sparkle to the overall image. I’m definitely doing this again! And yes, I’ve done this kind of watercolor/collage before, but hadn’t in a while so it felt like discovery. You should try it too!!
**This one is in my Etsy Shop, just waiting to be “picked”.;)
Hey Jen that is a great piece.
Thanks so much Matt!
it’s lovely !!! looking at it gives you a good feeling !
Thank you so much Gwen! I appreciate you visiting here!
I just LOVE this one!!! Makes me want to pull out some designer papers…
Thank you Christy! It’s totally fun!
Loved seeing your process here! The end result looks beautiful.
Really lovely.
It is so good to see you back here! Your work is always fresh and inspiring to me.
Thank you so very much Virgina! I appreciate the time you spent in commenting! Thank you.
I recognize some of those papers! I have cut them up too but mostly for background collage versus an object. I used that orange with blue (or some paper very, very similar) for the spine of a simple booklet journal to fancy it up! Your flower picture is lovely! The grease pencil started out looking pretty heavy but with the bright colors it actually worked great – it didn’t get lost among the colors. Your creativity is flowing!
Thanks Timaree! I thought the grease pencil added texture with it’s broken line. It is fun to mix up the drawing utensils within the same drawing.:)
beautiful!
Thanks a bunch!
Oo.. What a lovely rich set of colors! Nice work 🙂
Thank you so very much!