Sunflower Serenade

Let’s get going on the Sunflowers. The paint mixtures are laid out on my palette. #1. MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + Liquin. #2. Pthalo Blue + White. #3. Ultramarine Blue + Lemon Yellow. #4. Mix #3 + more Ultramarine Blue. #5. Cadmium Yellow Medium + Cadmium Orange + a little MUD. #6. Pure Cadmium Yellow Medium. #7. Cadmium Yellow Medium + Lemon Yellow. #8. Mix #5 + White. #9. Mix #5 + a little more MUD.

The Sunflower field is started by painting the yellow mass of blossoms. Those in the distance are painted with the most muted yellow mix #8. The far edge of the field is made uneven, taller flowers pop their golden heads above the shorter blooms surrounding them.

Next the masses of color for the Poppies and Daisies are blocked in. Cadmium Red Deep + Magenta and Cadmium Red Deep are used for the Poppies. The Daisy area is painted with blues and lavenders. This will provide the shadow color of the white flowers.

The foliage is now painted around the flower color. Mix #2, which is cooler, is used toward the back of the field. The leaves in the foreground are made with the warmer green mixes #3 and #4.

The large, dark centers of the Sunflowers are now made with mixture #1.

The final step in painting the Sunflowers is to highlight the flowers touched by the sun with mix #7. I use the corner of a medium sized Bright brush to delineate the individual petals. To see this better you can enlarge the image by clicking on the picture.

Sunflower Serenade     24″ x 36″    Original Oil Painting

The leaves and details of the Red Poppies and White Daisies are added and we’re done. Sunflower Serenade will have to dry for a few days and then it will be off to its new home! Thank you for following along, I really appreciate all of my readers. And please, if you have any questions feel free to ask. Hugs,