Another fun commission to do, a happy little Rooster nestled by a basket of Lavender as he surveys a field of Sunflowers. The basic elements are sketched up on the canvas and we’re ready to begin applying paint.
Following my usual method I “Paint Forward” beginning with the sky. Then the most distant layer of mountains is made bluer so it will recede. The middle layer is made more purple while the closest is painted with mixes of Pthalo Blue + Cadmium Orange + MUD (Ultramarine Blue + Alizarin Crimson) + White. If you would like to learn more about our Double Primary Color Mixing System CLICK HERE.
The mountains immediately drop farther back when the warmth of the field of Sunflowers is added. The sunny blossoms were blocked in first, followed by the large, green leaves. The foliage color is worked around the flowers, helping to define their shapes. Please remember, you can click on any of the images to see them larger.
The old basket is made of mixes of Ultramarine Blue + Cadmium Orange + White. The flat edge of a medium Bright brush is used to delineate the pattern of the woven wicker with a dark mixture of these same colors + MUD. Notice how the left side of the basket is made bluer, this helps to give it the appearance of roundness.
Now we’ll work on the Lavender in the basket. Opposite of my usual sequence of Flowers First, Leaves Last I start with the gray-green foliage. Then I add the flowers in various mixes of Magenta + Dioxazine Purple + White. The thick paint is gently “Laid” over the greens. I don’t want to pick up the underlying color, it will muddy the blossoms. If I do get any of the green on my brush I just wipe it off with toilet tissue. A clean brush gives you clean color on your canvas.
This Blog is a milestone, NUMBER 1,000. Can you believe it? WHEW!!!!!!! I really appreciate you following along.
We’ll paint the feisty Rooster in our next session. I’ll even have a couple of VIDEOS! AND……..If you would like to receive an email every time I publish a new post please feel free to subscribe to my blog. CLICK THIS LINK and scroll to the upper right side of the page. You will see a heading EMAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS. Just enter your email address and click the button “Sign me up!” It’s easy. And if you enjoy my blog please CLICK the FaceBook LIKE Button. As we say in Texas, “Much Obliged! Hugs,
Mikki Senkarik 
July 21, 2015 at 5:23 PM |
Oh, cant wait to see the rooster, how fun !
July 22, 2015 at 5:29 AM |
Hi Mikki,
Lots of thanks for your great efforts to help us get along with painting. As you know, many of us follow you with the same painting as a training, so I suggest you mention the size of the painting you are working on right at the beginning of the piece to enable us start with you with the same size and not waiting for that until you finish. My best wishes for you.
July 22, 2015 at 5:34 AM |
Wafaa,
This is a great idea. The Rooster is 14 inches tall by 11 inches wide. He’s on a regular canvas, as the collector is going to put a traditional frame on the painting. HAPPY PAINTING, Mikki