I have blocked in more of the background and used a wash of related colours to indicate glimpses of light on leaves at the back of the flowers. As more of the background is blocked in, the flowers, which are the subject of the painting, will become more apparent as a white silhouette. I shall paint more of the leaves as I continue and only add the flowers at the end.  When taking a break from this painting I will be outlining my 'Food School" oil painting.

This is just the start of the azalea painting. I have begun to block in the dark colours between the flowers and leaves which are in sunlight. The darks are mixed using Sap Green, Burnt Umber and Indigo with Winsor & Newton Professional watercolours, in tubes. I will leave some shapes to add muted colours to making the background seem more natural i.e. some of the flower colour and lighter greens as glimpses of light in the shade. This will become more apparent as I progress with the background. The composition is difficult to see in the photo as I only outline faint lines so as not to adulterate the paint.

Almost ready to apply paint to the first watercolour. It is daunting but exciting just before you commit paint to paper.
Another drawing of the pig who's name will not yet be revealed. She was in such disdain about her move initially, that this was the view her owners saw most of! The painting with the red collar was a portrait commissioned by her owners done before the move, and the one with the green collar once she had had a few days in her new home.

Two more possible illustrations for the story. The story will focus on the fact that the pig was apprehensive about the move and was uncooperative but once there, enjoyed her new environment. We hope that it would resonate with children who are apprehensive about change in their lives.

I have begun to outline the azalea composition on the paper. I use a soft pencil as I like to erase the lines as I paint so as not to taint the colour. It is acceptable to see drawing lines in some watercolour paintings but that is not what I want in mine. The overall composition previously posted shows a suggested triangle created by the flower heads. I try to make this a part of most of my floral paintings as it makes for a stable composition and is easy to look at for the viewer. I shall continue with the outline over the next few days and will then paint in the background leaves and dark areas. At this stage the flower heads are presented as a white silhouette which is a stage I quite like.

Along with the three painting that are in progress, I am also working on some drawings to use as illustration to a children's book. The drawings, in pencil on textured watercolour paper, will accompany a story being written by my wife on how the pig, which shall remain anonymous at this stage, coped with its house move to a larger block of land. The illustrations will almost all be in black and white with the addition of a little colour. There will also be two colour plates of the paintings I did of her. One before the move and one, showing her a little happier after the move. The paintings can be seen on our web page www.rigmarole.com.au  All we need to do once finished is get a publisher to publish!

 

Here are the Spanish Steps in Roma with Eileen enjoying standing with the Azaleas, which will be one of the subjects of my watercolour painting. The other is of the Jacaranda tree, which grows in the street in which I live. This will be the subject of my second watercolour painting.
 I have discovered that I like to work on more than one painting at a time, even if they move at a slow pace. One of the things that I don't compromise on with my watercolours is the use, or should I say the non use of white paint. By allowing the white of the paper to reflect light through gives a much more natural 'light' feel to the painting. Neither do I use black watercolour paint as my view is, that black is the complete absence of light, which cannot occur in a natural setting on Earth, so my blacks are a mixture of dark colours and can be given a hue to suit the situation.

 The internet has been down in our area for a little more than a day, so didn't prepare.
Since my last post, I have started to outline the composition on the Azalea watercolour which I shall post when completed, planned my next oil based on my visit to New York. It is another interior which was quite fascinating and reminded me of the movie 'Julie and Julia'. It will be of the interior of a cooking school found in the centre of Manhattan of all places. I have also started preparation for a second watercolour, while it is in my mind, of the beautiful jacaranda flower. I have done one previously which was a little smaller but it inspired me to want to move into a larger size. With a larger size it is easier to immerse yourself in the wonderful tones and colour. The splendour of nature! Attached is the previous painting for those not familiar with the jacaranda.