Lotus progression

It's always best to start with the best reference photo.  My sister took this photo in Thailand.
  The lotus grow 4' tall!  DO take your own reference photos or get permission to use them.

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I decided to make the painting all about the Lotus flower. I used Phthalo Blue for an under painting.
I find using an under painting (cool for a warm subject & vice versa) helps me focus on the subject, value & composition.  You will also get a lovely sparkle in your oil painting.

In my oil painting classes we learned and experimented with transparent oil colors. After using a permanent marker on a canvas pad , we painted a variety of  straight oil paints over the black mark.  Now you can easily see which colors are transparent. I also started labeling the brand of paints I use as colors can vary by brand.  I love Gamblin,  Winsor Newton & some  WIlliamsburn & Rembrandt brands.

 

I used a limited transparent pallet for this painting but did need to use some white.  I found the perfect pink for this flower using Quinacridone Red

Darks first!

I wanted the mountains suggested in the painting, but not the focus.

Finished painting!

With the current Pandemic going on, I've had to put my home studio classes on hold.   I seriously miss my students!  When things calm down, I'll organize some plein air outings.  Keep painting!

Kauai

Heart Breakers

A New Day

These are two brand new oil paintings I recently finished that were inspired by a lovely trip to Kauai, Hawaii, this year.  They both were started and worked on during my oil painting classes.  I used a limited pallet which I believe gives the paintings more cohesion. 

I choose my primary colors based on what colors I need for the painting.  I paint a small thumbnail in black and white to get the values and composition nailed down. For 'Heart Breakers' I used my homemade Alizarin Crimson with Pyrrole Red & Quinacridone Violet, Cadmium Yellow Light, Indanthrone & Titanium White.

Next I create an under-painting in oil using my homemade Alizarin to get the values.  If I need to go darker I might add a touch of Sap Green.  On an oil primed linen surface this acts like a white erase board while it's wet.
  

 As I progress I lay the local colors down, starting with the darks. I am careful not to cover up all of the under-painting as I want to leave some of the glimmer that shows through.

These paintings are currently for sale.  

See more of my art and inquire about available paintings at MaryGiacomini.com

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