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Sunday, September 8, 2013

Finally ... a Moment to Post ...

Continuing with the hydrangea, here I have finished the petals, and done light w/w washes on the stems. Throughout the painting, I am using cobalt and indanthrone blue, quin. burnt orange and quin. violet. It seems to be my favorite color combination. I forgot to mention last time, I am using a different paper - Arches 300 lb. CP. It's quite nice. The washes are not quite as wet and wild, and it takes more force and deliberation when painting.

I did two separate variegated washes of a greyed violet mixture. I did not do one darker wash, all at once, as I was not sure what it would look like. After they dried, I wet again where I decided to place the branches, and drizzled in thin lines of dark violet grey with a fine brush.

Here it is finished.
"Beauty even in Winter"
10.25 x 10.25 inches on 300 lb. Arches cold press rag
$160.00 Cdn.


I have reached this point with my niece. It's good, but it's NOT Paulina. So I will be doing this again in the future.

I also had some time to figure out what to do with this hollyhock. The middle flower was not right. I added more of the violet in the left center area, and now it looks like a proper inverted, not everted, blossom.
White Hollyhocks
11.5 x 7.25 inches on Arches 140 lb. CP
$155.00 unframed


It's been a busy week. Since Tuesday, I have been taking care of a neighbor's menagerie [3 dogs, 2 cats and 2 horses] while she and her husband are at Spruce Meadows in Calgary. Spruce is a huge horse facility outside of Calgary, and annually hosts a large series of show-jumping events. It is an international qualifier - horses and riders from all over the world. I heard that Germany won the team event this year.
The extra animals are pretty good. But one of the horses is a yearling, and as cheeky as all get-out! I think he looks for trouble. He's taken down one area of fencing three times. It's no wonder that he is a bit banged and scraped.
And I had to take one of the chinchillas to the vet on Friday after work. He was not moving around much, though otherwise looked well. Then I noticed him limping. He is the more active of the two, and he must have banged his leg, or strained it somehow. Thankfully it was not broken, and he is gradually moving more again.
Here's hoping the coming week is a bit less busy, and I find more time to paint.

Thank you for dropping by, and your comments are always welcome.

9 comments:

  1. I love the faded colors of the hydrangea! Take care!

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  2. HI Kathryn, wow that is a menagerie!! you were busy. Love your hydrangea.. gorgeous. You captured the grace of that so exquisitely. I love all your paintings. I hope you get to spend lots of time painting this week. love,Diana

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  3. Nice paintings, Kathryn. I especially like the Hollyhocks. You probably don't need to attach your paper to a board if you are using the 300lb Arches. It takes a lot to warp that heavy stock. Have a good (more relaxing) week! :-D

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  4. Love the flowers, yes the hollyhocks do look great. Sounds like you are pretty busy with the animals.

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  5. Gracias por visitar mi blog y por el comentario. Es buena esta Comunicación porque le da vida a los blogs. Espléndido el trabajo con la hortensia. Muestras una gran sensibilidad y dominio de la técnica. Todo muy cuidado.

    Saludos y enhorabuena. R. Vicent

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  6. wow, so much to look at and enjoy. Beauty even in winter is ethereal and just so lovely, like a whisper! stunning. you niece is lovely but only you know if it's her so i hear ya. and the white hollyhocks is one of my favorite ever of your work. the background works perfectly and really showcases the blooms. just incredible your gunkness!!!

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  7. A beautiful and not common way of painting a Hydrangea, and the hollyhocks are 'to die for'....gorgeous ! Actually I think you got a good likeness with your niece, but I know how severe you are to yourself :-))Have a nice weekend. xx

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  8. Like I said earlier, I really appreciate your enthusiasm. Painting after having so much in your hands is amazing. Great job.

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  9. It was a complete Zoo to take care of! I think the yearling ha stood on the foot of the chinchilla!!:) The hydrangea is beautiful Kathryn. The colors are so well chosen. The title for the paintins is well chosen too! Love your holyhocks. Take it easy and have a nice weekend!xx

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