The Value of Flowers

I am now moving on to something I have not painted in months, flowers.  

And I have missed them!

This is much smaller than I usually work at 8" x 10".

I am also approaching it differently than usual.  If you've been following me (and I hope you have!) you know that I always just dive right in with full blast color.

This time I start by laying in values with Dioxazine Violet.  Why Violet? 

For that you need to know a little color theory. The flower will be yellow and magenta.  

Violet is Complementary to yellow and Analogous to Magenta making a good base for establishing darks and lights.

There are as many ways to work as there are artists.  We'll see if this way works for me.

I have painted in a mask to cover up the small white pedals surrounding the center of the flower.
I don't usually use a frisket mask, wanting to paint around areas as part of the process, but have to admit I see it's merits.
You can still see the underlay of violet I can now use as a guide.

The mask has been rubbed off and look how great those white pedals turned out.
I can see now that I have gotten too dark in the bottom pedals and will repair in the next step.
I see some scrubbing out and washing in on the way!

"Rubies"
Watercolor, 8" x 10"
©Carmella Tuliszewski 2013

A powerful burst of color is this one!  
It took three glazes of color to come up with such a strong pink.
Violet Rouge, Ruby Madder and Opera Rose.  It was so much fun to paint flowers again that I do believe I will continue with a few more.  
I enjoy working in this smaller size.  It's a different focus than the larger pieces I usually do and I see it as a companion piece to work on during larger projects.

My goals for the summer artwise?
1. To continue with these smaller paintings
2.  One more larger Italian painting
3. One large still life painting.
4. Keep marketing.
5. Experiment with different techniques and styles while sipping iced tea on my patio!

Win a Watercolor!

I am taking part in the Leslie Saeta 30 Day Marketing Challenge.  Although I could easily spend all my hours painting, I do need to spend some time promoting my work.  Afterall, art is meant to be shared.

So today's challenge is to offer an incentive contest.  And I have chosen one of my much loved earlier paintings, "Fushia", an original watercolor.  This delicate flower is a complex mix of colors and construction. The careful mix of pinks through blues and purples is the result of many layers of glazing watercolor washes one over another. 

"Fushia", Watercolor,

Image size, 12" x 16",  with Mat 18" x 22"

(Watermark will not appear on your original art)

This painting is mounted on acid free foam core board and Matted using a White, Archival and Beveled Edged mat board.  All materials used in mounting are archival, insuring that your painting will last a lifetime and beyond.

A $300.00 Value

So, you might ask, what's the catch?

No cost to you at all but what I would like most now is to kick start my new FaceBook Studio Page.

And I do that by building an audience.  

To be a part of this and have a chance to win this painting all you need to do is "like" my new Facebook Studio Fan Page. 

You do this by first clicking the Facebook badge to the right.

Once on my page click the LIKE button under my top banner.  

You should see the number on the Thumbs Up icon go up. 

 (If you only "like" a post- which I still greatly appreciate!- you will not show up as a fan in my feed.)

I will write your name on a small paper, fold it, and place it in a bowl.

Once I reach 100 LIKES I will have someone else blindly choose a paper and announce the winner!

If you have already been announced as a fan in my weekly thank you posts, your name will automatically be added.  

Want your name in the bowl more than once?

Have a friend like my page, comment in one of my posts that they are a friend of yours
and you both go in 
OR
Share my page on your FB page!

I will dutifully keep track of it all!

THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK!

A winner has been chosen and this give away is over as of June 10, 2013. 
Thank you to all who participated!

Happy Mother's Day!

A Happy Mother's Day to all!

These are my two babies from many years ago.  They were the best models. Can't believe they are in their late twenties and out on their own now.  

Enjoy your day!

"Bubbles", Colored pencil, 18" x 24"

©Carmella Tuliszewski 1993

Collage it!

Look at what I've learned today.
Now, I admit, I am usually a little late to the show as far as technology is concerned.  But this was easy and fun.  Think of the possibilities.  Great for displaying artwork, of course, but how about family photos for a reunion or yearly event, to celebrate a birthday or graduation.

If you'd like to try a collage of your own go to the this site

http://ipiccy.com
It's free and you can set up any number of collage configurations, including jigsaw.
Humm, Jigsaw, I think I'll have to go play a little more with this!
Enjoy!

A Favorite

"Hearts Alight"

"Hearts Alight", Watercolor, 14" x 20"

© Carmella Tuliszewski 2012

  I had a great time working on this and learned so much that I'm sure will be helpful on future projects.  The crystal dish did a lot of fun things to the objects in and around it.  Each section of the glass distorted the area below, making each section it's own little abstract design.

Here are the progressions.

I am very proud of this piece.  Each day I was so excited to keep working on it and watching it "become" what I had pictured in my head.  Afterall, isn't that the challenge of every artist, to bring to fruition what you see in your minds eye?

Why do I love "Hearts Alight"?

It was my first painting of crystal and the play of light shinning on and through the crystal heart was endlessly facinating to work on.  I am a realist but with a twist of using bold coloring in my work.

The foil candies were gorgeous to try and make look like you could pick one up, unwrap and enjoy.  The extreme highlights and shadows are something I always look for when beginning a new painting.

So, where would a potential buyer hang this, my pride and joy?

Anywhere, really, it's so much fun to look at.  But I always thought it would be ideal in a kitchen, girl's room or perhaps someone's shop.  And there are always "heart" collectors out there.

The original painting measures 14" x 20" with a three inch beveled white mat bringing the overall size to 20 x 26". 

If I have opened your heart to all my hearts you may find this for sale through my "Buy Now" PayPal button below.
My hearts need a good home!

If you are so inclined, I invite you to stop by my Facebook Studio page.
I will do my best to keep you entertained with new Watercolor Works!