Hello Million Friends,
This is one of my newest painting I’ve completed for the show in March at Lauritzen Gardens and it’s called “Blue”.
After searching through my reference photos I found a picture of tulips in an oval shaped vase, setting on a piano. I drew it on the canvas with a new pencil I’d forgotten about, it’s called “sketch and wash”. It’s a wonderful tool, just in case a line goes wayward during the “drawing in” process, I can wash it off with a wet washcloth. I don’t recommend using a white washcloth like I did.
After deciding the painting would be in monochromatic whites, I painted the entire background a beautiful sea green color (my favorite) in acrylic so I could change it quickly and paint oil over it, if I didn’t like it.
Well, I kinda liked the green and I kinda didn’t. So I stared at it for a while – about five days. It was a good stare down and I won. The drawing was wonderful but the flowers seemed too tall for the vase and I think it’s because it’s on a square 24×24 canvas. So I moved a few flowers down, sketched in a couple more to balance the composition. Sketch and wash, you know the routine.
I decided to change the shape of the vase, it was too old fashioned looking for my taste. By the way, if you’ve seen the tall, rectangle-shaped one’s in Whole Foods, they’re gorgeous. I would love one for a Christmas present (hint, hint to my better half). 
I’d hate to see him end up like this guy.
There was a bit too much negative space on one side of the painting. I painted in an abstract design for the background to balance it out. I painted the rest from my emotions and the rest is history. It’s just right, nothing like I planned. Next time I’m going to take pictures at each stage so I can show the evolution.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
What a BEEutiful painting, Chris. I could look at it all day long.
You just keep getting better and better. How do find the time to do all of the things you do. Keep on going and never stop!
with love………………………
Cris, this is so interesting to follow your progress and way of painting, thanks so much for sharing. I like the painting very much, the blue is very special and lets the white flowers shine:)
Have a good day/evening
love
Andrea
Ooo I love this one Chris. Your colour sense is sumptuous! I remember talking to an artist friend about how we love colour, the paint itself, like we could almost eat it. But I won’t do that! I have Christmas cookies! Love ya gurl! – Cat
How can one little, Italian Omaha-an have so much creatiiy?
It moves me. The face is gorgeous. Is it a self portrait?
All I can say is that your pictures have a life of their own. They
have their own life force.
l,
j
I would like to thank everyone that commented on this post, right back at you, I am your mirror.