Hortensia a Greek “Water Vessel”
Or Hydrangea?
This week in spring flowers I picked the Hydrangea (Hydrangeaceae), or as the title states the hydra plant or hydrate plant. How appropriate, if you have experienced this flower than you are familiar as to how quickly they can drop their posture and droop in the vase or even the plant if not sufficiently watered.
When these flowers were purchased, (I wish I could say cut from the garden) I made sure to keep the water fresh and the stems cut clean. Within two days they shifted into a larger opened state.
First Attempt…..
This oil painting was completed in 2019 as a challenge to myself. If you look at the first image of the fresh flowers in a vase, the petals and their textures are many. Where does one start? Flowers, background, or vase. After the block in stage, I went directly to the flowers unraveling shapes and colors. If you look closely, there are more brush strokes and less detail. That means this painting falls into impressionistic it gives the viewer an idea of the subject. For this type of painting I was pleased to have accomplished the similarities.
This next painting was completed in 2021. The brush strokes and flowers show more confidence in the subject. Some teachers of painting have described this style as a personal interpretation rather than a perfect image one could print from a printer anytime. Why work hard to compete with a piece of equipment? It is far more difficult to paint this than to print this.
“There are always flowers for those who want to see them!”
Henri Matisse
This week’s painting
As a replica of the first image this is what was completed this week. A big difference from the beginning days of painting flowers with oil paints. This panel is a 12”x14” which is a new size for the flower collection and I used a bit of dynamic symmetry before completing. In another journal, I will go through the process of dynamic symmetry.
I wanted to take the time and thank you for receiving these emails each week and reading them. Wishing you all the best!
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