Autumn Circus
Dashing
Before we get to planting I just wanted to share a couple of my Christmas Irises with you!
The Sunflowers are blocked in with several different mixtures of Yellow. The variations of Cadmium Yellow Medium + Cadmium Orange, Cadmium Yellow Medium + MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) and pure Cadmium Yellow Medium make the flowers appear more lifelike than if a single mix is used.
After painting the foliage with warm greens made of Ultramarine Blue + Lemon Yellow the large, dark centers are added. Don’t forget, you can click on this or any of the other images to enlarge the pictures.
One of the most important elements for Joanne is the Purple/Blue Hydrangeas. The colors I’ll use are shown above. The grouping of mixes at #1 are all variations of Dioxazine Purple + Ultramarine Blue + White. #2 are different combinations of Pthalo Blue + Lemon Yellow. #3. Pthalo Blue + White.
Following the same sequence as on the other flowers the blossom color is blocked in first. The different colors are applied randomly to give the variegated hues that are characteristic of these beautiful plants. Then the rich green leaves are worked around the Purples and Blues helping to shape the flowers.
The final step is to highlight the individual petals. I use the corner of a small, Bright brush. If you’d like to more about the brushes I use CLICK HERE.
The Cosmos nestled along the base of the wall are painted with varying mixes of Cadmium Orange + Cadmium Red Light, Cadmium Red Light, Cadmium Red Light + Permanent Rose + White and Permanent Rose + White.
Enchanting Vista 30″ x 36″ Original Oil Painting
Yellow centers complete the cheerful Cosmos in the corner. AND…….we’re done! Joanne emailed this morning saying she and Chuck are looking forward to having a wonderfully happy view through a window where they have none! Jack read that and came up with a great name, “Enchanting Vista”! That’s why he’s the official namer in our studio. Thank you for following along. BIG HUGS,
Mikki Senkarik 
January 7, 2015 at 5:16 PM |
Mikki, years ago when I read your “love story”, one thing that stuck with me, no, encouraged me, was when you decided that you wanted to see what was on the other side of the doors you painted. Enchanting Vistas makes me want to stroll through the arch and see what is down the cobblestone hill on the way to the sea. Thank you for sharing your journey of this painting. It is always fun to watch your paintings come to life.
Barbara
January 7, 2015 at 5:24 PM |
Mikki – We just love!! I will happily sit, immersed in this Enchanting Vista and be, yes, enchanted and happy!! Chuck just saw it and said it’s incredible, fabulous.
This is exactly what we wanted (but then again all your paintings are : – ). Thank you for you asking what we want, and for adding our favorite flowers and colors.
We feel so lucky to have one of your beautiful creations in our home!!
Joanne & Chuck
January 7, 2015 at 5:24 PM |
I love your irises too! I guess you know I like that color ha ha!
January 7, 2015 at 5:29 PM |
I have been sharing these posts with my sister, a more accomplished artist than I. She loves the color and Italy-like scenes, and the vibrancy of all of your creations. Today I thought to show her Jack’s paintings, and she was enthralled and amazed at those too. Joanne
January 7, 2015 at 5:35 PM |
I can’t stop gazing at it. I HAVE to go do other things ha ha! Joanne
January 7, 2015 at 11:12 PM |
Interesting to watch your process. I would like to ask if when you paint the flowers in pots, do you use a reference or do they come out of your head?
January 8, 2015 at 5:06 PM |
Hi Janet,
I always use reference for my flowers both growing in the ground and in pots. I even pull out the laptop and put it on the taboret for my favorites like Sunflowers and Hollyhocks. This link shows you a picture of our old studio but you can get an idea of my setup: https://mikkisenkarik.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/setting-up-to-paint/
Now with digital cameras it’s so easy to keep our tons of reference photos in files and folders on the computer. I love being able to enlarge the images to see the details. But do remember, make sure to back up your files to an external hard drive. Crashing computers are just a fact of life. Thank you for following my blog. Hugs, Mikki
January 13, 2015 at 7:39 AM |
How do you photograph your paintings? Mine never seem to turn out very well
Regards
James Potter
January 13, 2015 at 10:23 AM |
Hi James,
Here is the link to one of my blogs on photographing paintings:
https://mikkisenkarik.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/photographing-our-paintings/
Hope this helps. Thanks for following my blog. Mikki