Enticing View

Coreopsis are a treat to paint. The yellows and oranges of the blossoms are blocked in first. The complimentary purple color of the Sage behind the yellow Coreopsis makes them glow. To see any of these pictures larger just click on the image.

The foliage of the Coreopsis is various mixes of Pthalo Blue + Orange + White. More White + a touch of Hansa Lemon Yellow is added for the highlights of the leaves and the stems. On the shadow side a few strokes of Pthalo Blue + White are made to add coolness and round the foliage.

The centers are made with Alizarin Crimson + Liquin. The mixture for the highlights on the happy yellow flowers is Cadmium Yellow Medium + Hansa Lemon Yellow + a bit of White. The corner of a 1/2 inch bright brush is used to pop them in.

Now for the icing on the cake, the Hollyhocks! As with the other flowers the pink blossoms are painted first. Permanent Rose is pulled out again, then a little Cadmium Red Light is mixed in to make a warm pink. Bright green leaves of Pthalo Blue + Hansa Lemon Yellow are painted around the spots of pink.

After completing the foliage I go back in, indicating the centers of the individual blossoms. The same mix used for the centers of the Coreopsis works here.

Enticing View    38″ x 48″    Original Oil Painting

Tall stems decorated with seed pods finish out the Hollyhocks. Notice the shadow across the front of the painting, it acts as a Threshold. This is a technique we use in painting to give the feeling of depth on a two-dimensional surface. Think of a well-lit home with an open door on a very dark night. Standing outside your eye is drawn through the darkness, across the threshold of the door to the light inside. The same principle works here, the light in the distance draws the viewer’s gaze over the shadow in the front (threshold) to linger in the pleasant courtyard. Then the Enticing View of the sunlit mesa beyond the open gate invites you to walk through and enjoy. This piece has been so fun to paint, my collectors came up with such wonderful ideas. Hope you’ve had as much fun watching. Hugs, Mikki Senkarik

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