Happy 4th of July! I hope all of USA’ers had a fireworks fourth full of family, food and friends.
I want to thank everyone that offered a critique of my painting of geraniums. I appreciate your generosity and helpful spirit. Universally the problem stated was value. I believe 100% of you mentioned that. (And frankly I think I knew that but there are times when I seem to lose my confidence.) I have been working on the painting and think I have taken it as far as I can. I am on the precipice and if I do more I think my vibrant color will become MUD! YUCK!!#@! In my opinion the painting is much better than it was and this experience has reinforced (AGAIN) a couple of things for me. First I need to do a couple of sketches before I start. They may be small thumbnails but I need to check the composition and values. I can be impatient and too spontaneous and it always gets me into trouble. Also in most cases I need some sort of reference even if I am not painting directly from it. Light hitting geraniums would have been nice in this case. And value, value, value. Seems pretty basic, right? Anyway thank you all. I appreciate your support. Here she is:
Geraniums in a Pot
Linda Halcomb's Blog 
OMG! This is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!! Now, my turn to ask you. How did you get those rich darks? This sings!!!!
Hi Leslie, In my original post the leafy background was primarily thalo green, permanent green, sap green and thalo blue. When I started creating the darker values I started with a mix of thalo blue, thalo green and a touch of indian red. For the areas I wanted to make the darkest I went over this again with a mix of Winsor Violet and Winsor blue. After this dried I did a wash with clear water and dropped in Winsor blue alone to add variety and interest in the shadows (particularly in the pot where the values were not quite as dark). Thanks for all your help with this!
Hey you did it and an interesting mixture you chose. They are beautiful! Thanks for the tips on the darks!
it’s beautiful, Linda. Gorgeous rich darks, well done!
Karen
Karen, Thank you so much. This one was a struggle!
Good day, Linda,
in regard of your artwork here.. the first thing I love is the fact that you worked this one out without references except your experience and imagination with geraniums. If you ask me to do the same.. err.. well, it’s difficult. I am so used to have references in hand. Except if I draw cartoons 🙂
The reds definitely stood out and with dark greens in the background, the painting became vibrant and catchy. Even without much indication of where the light came from, we could still see some depth in the painting and that’s what we need to make our paintings interesting, isn’t it?
I like it, Linda 🙂
All d’ best.
Thank you for your kind words! I love creating art because it is a continual challenge in problem solving. Your comments remind me of some very basic things I need to keep in mind. Thank you again for your comment!
This is a completely different painting! Very beautiful. I still like the first version. But this one is quite dramatic and you have achieved fantastic darks.
Hi Carol, I sometimes think paintings without deep values are the most beautiful because I like pastel and mid-value colors so well but with this painting I was trying for a dramatic look. I am glad I was able to work out the problems with the help of all of you.
WOW!!!! you did it. the advice about values was right on target – the picture is so vibrant now with the contrasts. double congratulations to you for the courage to ask for and follow a critique
I am really glad you like the final result. I have always missed the oppotunity to participate in critiques. I think they are immensely helpful.