Chairs with a Heart

The Geraniums are planted and then the blossoms of the Nasturtiums are made of different proportions of Cadmium Red Light + Cadmium Orange. I allow tendrils to drape over the wall, softening the hard edge.

A mix of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Yellow Medium + White is used to complete the distinctive round leaves of the Nasturtiums. Next the adobe wall and row of containers for the Petunias are painted. It is much easier to draw the table and chairs wet into wet over the background. The wrought iron is made with a mixture of Alizarin Crimson + Pthalo Blue. This makes a rich black that has a blue highlight when a bit of white is mixed in.

The heart-shaped chairs for Lara are drawn with a #0 Filbert brush. Bracing against the mahl stick and holding the brush at the end gives more control. I know this sounds ridiculous but if the brush is held close to the ferrule every jiggle and shake of your hand is transmitted into the line. Grasping the handle at the very end makes all of those bumps and jerks go away! That’s one of the reasons they make long-handled brushes.

The Petunias filling the row of pots are painted in my usual sequence, Flowers First, Leaves Last. After the foliage is complete a thin mix of Magenta + Liquin is used to add the centers of the flowers.

And now for Adelaide, also known as “Doodle”. Frank suggested inscribing her initials on a pot and possibly adding a few squiggles. So I came up with a frilly style of lettering along with some swashes and doodles to encircle the pot! What do you think? You can click on the picture to see it larger. Hope you will come back tomorrow, we should finish up. Hugs, Mikki Senkarik

Website: www.senkarik.com