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Saturday, August 17, 2013

Background ... Here I Go!

Miss K. before I started ...

This was a variegated w/w wash of aureolin and quin. burnt orange. It seems to have softened her look quite nicely.

Another varied w/w wash, using quin. burnt orange and quin. violet. 

More of the same technique, with quin. violet and alizarin crimson.

Now, I am subduing the colors a bit. I lifted in a few spots, with wet sponge and paper towel, and then did a thin wash of quin. burnt orange. The next glaze will be a very thin one of indanthrone blue.
I read an article about Rogger Oncoy in the last issue of The Art of Watercolour.  He tends to paint his backgrounds last, and said that it was at this stage that many paintings were ruined. I couldn't agree more!

Thank you for dropping by! Your comments are always welcome.


I got the blue done faster than I thought. Here she is ...

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13 comments:

  1. Gatepost productionsAugust 17, 2013 at 10:09 AM

    Hi Kathryn (I'm back). I found this very instructional, thank you. The effect on the subject from the varying backgrounds is amazing.

    Is it OK if I give your email address to my granddaughter? She is talking about getting some dog portraits done,

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  2. ondedacquaAugust 17, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    Bravissima Kathryn,come sempre.
    ciao gloria

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  3. Reyes R VicentAugust 17, 2013 at 3:53 PM

    Mi FELICITACIÓN por el entusiasmo con que trabajas y los resultados que consigues. Tus estudios sobre los animales son espléndidos y es de agradecer cómo los explicas paso a paso. Saludos y mucho ánimo.

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  4. Vicki GreeneAugust 17, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    Miss K is adorable! You are so brave to do all of those layers on the background after the main painting is done but it turned out good.

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  5. Rustique RestorationAugust 17, 2013 at 7:49 PM

    This looks awesome! You are so talented! :D

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  6. Sandra BusbyAugust 19, 2013 at 4:20 AM

    What a cute pup! Those eyes look so alive already! You are so good at dogs :0)

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  7. Wendy Mould AFCAAugust 19, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    Oh, I am so glad that you warmed up the background. She looked so cold before. Now she has a wonderful life to her. Have you thought about softening some of her edges so that she settles more with her background?

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  8. SusanAugust 19, 2013 at 9:41 AM

    Isn't it amazing, almost magical, what a background can do to a painting! And I could not agree more - in oil painting, the background must be integrated with the whole. It is equally as important as the subject.

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  9. hmuxoAugust 19, 2013 at 5:07 PM

    This cocker spaniel is beautifully painted, Kathryn!!! I thought I commented on this one...so I'm happy that I returned to see it again!!! Your portraits of animals is very good!!!

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  10. Maree ClarksonAugust 20, 2013 at 7:46 AM

    That back-ground turned out lovely and warm Kathryn, a lovely foil to the "black and white" of the painting, beautifully done!

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  11. Midori YoshinoAugust 20, 2013 at 10:43 AM

    Hi Studio at the Farm,
    Her eyes are looking at something. We can imagine what she is looking at and thinking about.That is another fantastic piece, Kathryn.

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  12. PatAugust 20, 2013 at 1:52 PM

    Gorgeous work, Kathryn! She's a little stunner!

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  13. renateAugust 23, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    Amazing Kathryn! My big compliments. The background did made the dog come out softer. Just what it needed!

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