Agave, In Progress 4

I have almost completed the second glaze of greens on the leaves, using a mix of sap green and hooker's green. I drop in a little Alizarin to add texture. I try not to let the red mix too much with the green causing the green to neutralize (and thus flattening the shape). If the red is still visible, the warm color will give the illusion of coming forward. You can see this effect best on the center leaf. Next I will add the darks and paint in the shadow triangle shapes. Triangles lead the eye in and out of a painting and I like how they work in this design.

Agave, In Progress 3

I have started painting in the middle values of the leaves. I have worked the lower aspects of the bottom leaves beginning to develop the rounded form, a little color perspective, and more texture.

Agave, In Progress 2

Next I begin painting in the lighter mid-tone values of the leaves. This layer will be the "underpainting" for each leaf. One of my favorite pigments for shadows is Pthalo Blue (Pigment PB 15). Usually I use Pthalo Blue as a final glaze. Pthalo blue is a staining pigment, very intense, and transparent. So according to the "laws" of color perspective for watercolor, this pigment works best in foreground areas (i.e. intensity comes forward) when used against less intense blues (here Cobalt, Manganese, and later Ultramarine blue). However, when used as a shadow or in this underpainting as I did above, the color will create a reflective glow in the final painting. The intensity of the pigment will bring the eye toward the center of interest but will actually look recessed in the plant; at least that is my plan. More to follow...

Agave, In Progress

I am starting my next watercolor on aquabord. This is a larger (12x12) version of the smaller study done in September (currently on exhibit at the Torpedo Factory, Target Gallery). I begin by painting in what will be the lightest values, adding just a touch of color to cover the off-white of the clay. Each area is dampened and then paint applied. I tilt the board to encourage the water to run and the paint to granulate and dry in a pattern that will give shape to the agave leaves (?). I chose for my coolest blue, manganese blue hue because of the pigments granulating properties. Once dry, the pebbly texture of the aquabord combined with the granulation of pigment give a nice earthy texture.

On Exhibit at the Torpedo Factory

These three paintings will be on exhibit and for sale at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Target Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia, December 11, 2008 to January 11, 2009.

The exhibit is titled "5X5(5)" and all the artwork on display fits into these dimensions. The juror, Elaine Levin, reviewed over 650 national and international entries, choosing 250 works for the show.

An Artist's Reception will be held December 11th from 6-8PM.

Succulent

Succulent
5X5
Watercolor on Aquaboard

Succulent, In Progress

This is the final painting in the 5x5 series on aquaboard. I am really enjoying this painting surface and looking forward to being able to frame these small watercolors without glass. Once the paintings are complete, I seal the surface with a clayboard fixative or varnish. The watercolor then is protected from UV light and able to be framed without using glass.