I'm totally blocked right now and can't think of any subject to paint that excites me. So, trying to "get my groove back," I did a small fast watercolor of these peppers from a photo on Wet Canvas. (I would love to be able to attribute the photographer, but can't find it again!) IT is an exciting photograph, and is also a good way to practice reds, which I find to be VERY difficult.
Thinking to pick up some peppers at the grocery store today and practice reds from real life (rather than a photo), I found that the price of a red bell pepper is $3.99 a pound right now -- it seems that photo references aren't so bad after all...
The reds/pinks I have on my standard palette are Rose Madder Genuine, Alizarin Crimson Perm, Cadmium Red, Winsor Red, and Opera (just one pepper got a light wash of that.) Of course I mixed in some yellows in spots, and think that dulled the reds more than I would have liked. I'd be interested in knowing what other people think the "perfect red" palette is.
21 comments:
I hope you find yourself getting back into your creative groove soon.
I'm in love with this pepper painting. :) The colors rock!
This painting is lush, and your reds look fantastic to me.
Linda, my goodness! If you are blocked, can I have some of your blocked talent?? This is gorgeous! I'm intrigued by the many shades of red you achieved. This is truly inspiring. Lovely!
Linda painted a peck of pretty peppers...too bad your name isn't Penny - it would have been more of a tongue twister. :-)
Seriously - I like this little painting - I don't have a clue about red palettes...sorry!
Dari went garage sale shopping...and now has a box of interesting goodies...
It's a wonderful painting and sometimes we just have to paint anything to get the creative spark going.
As for reds I use in order startign with an orange-red to a blue-red
quinacridone burnt scarlet
perylene red
quinacridone rose
anthraquinoid red
I mix thes to get other reds also.
I used to use the colors you mentioned but ones like Opera fade and even though they say Alizarin Crimson Perm shouldn't fade it just does not have the punch as alizarin crimson that does fade.
Thanks you guys! Toni -- I've been getting rid of Opera from my palette and adding permanent rose instead, but this time went with that garrish blue pink for a final wash on one pepper. I'll look into the anthraquinoid red! Thanks!
WONDERFUL pepper, Linda! Colors, form -- such wondrous variety!!! The only way I know how to get thru my own blocks is to just keep working -- somehow -- that 'block' seems to disipate over time ... but I HATE when I"m in such a funk -- I hope yours lifts fast too!
Fabulous painting, Linda!! I think you may have your 'groove' back. :) Acrylic colour names are different to the watercolour names so can't help you much on the red palette side of things but the colours in your painting sure look good to me.
The painting does look good! Just working on something seems like a way to get your groove back--though sometimes it seems to take a little time.
What an amazing painting for someone who's blocked!! ;) Lovely composition - I hope doing this is the first step out of it. It's such a pain isn't it?
"I'm totally blocked right now" as a nurse this has a totally different meaning to me! LOL...I love your peppers! What a wonderful watercolor with such lusious reds! I love red!!!!! Great 'unblocking'
OH MY GOSH, these are so tasty looking. Beautiful job Linda!!! Maybe you should get blocked a bit more if this kind of result happens.
Mmmmm, I'm lovin' these peppers! The colors and great organic shapes are beautiful.
Your peppers are so pretty to look at. They would look great in a kitchen.
I love alizarin crimson ... darn! why does it have to fade.......
I'm using a very limited palette, so my main colors for red are Cad red and quinacridone violet.
Fantastic! Lovely work! Reds looks great as far as I can see. I struggle with reds too.
Love what you have done with this picture. i recognise it from a past WDE as it's a ref I also used.
MD
Where I'd use one red, you found a chorus! I really should take a look in my refrigerator...
this is totally fabUlous
TOTALLY.
man...i wish i came out with something as good as this when i have lost my groove.
I wish I knew what the best red palette is, sweetie! I just use cad med, cad light, aliz, carmine and W&N something rose. I love these glowy, shiny, luminous peppers!
Yummy and so's the composition. And this is what you call blocked? I don't understand blocked, I really don't. Not when there are inspirational sites like urinal.net. Of course spend enough time there and you might be blocked for life;D
Gorgeous. Very vibrant.
Peppers are very high here too. love your painting!
Tagged you for a game if you'd like to play.
http://drawdaily.blogspot.com/
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