Orange and red have always been difficult for me to use in watercolor. Not sure why. They just are never as bright as I'd like them to be or difficult to darken without getting that muddy, grainy look.
So I was determined to get better at it with some extra practice and I figured a few things out.
I never use any browns right out of the tube. Seems to be the kiss of death to a fresh looking painting.
I make all my browns by combining many variations of the three primary colors.
I also make most of my own greens for the same reason.
An even better way to darken an area is to use the complimentary color. In this painting I glazed with different blues over the oranges to get the darker areas of the pumbkins and candy corn.
"Blue and Gold", Watercolor, 10" x 15"
©Carmella Tuliszewski 2013
This is another fabric piece from my propt basket. The lining up of the design so that it looks like it is going back in the distance is a trick of perspective.
Here is a little interactive tutorial on drawing a pattern in 1pt. perspective.
http://juliannakunstler.com/art1_1pt_ch_board.html#.UkXlkhaCCJU
That's what I did here except the design staggers a half step in the repeat on every other row.
After the drawing was done I washed the lighter blue across, let that dry completely and began painting in the design with the darker blue. Sounds a little crazy but I love doing those kind of details.
With a drink (non-alcholic!) and some good music it goes fast.
When I taught middle school art one of my favorite artists was Matisse.
I became pretty obsessed with him. Read all the bios and stared for uncomfortably long periods of time at his work in museums. And ever since I have just loved combining patterned fabric in my still lifes.
Here are some past still lifes of mine which incorporate patterns as a base.
"Cradled Lemons"
"Family Jewels"
"Fabricated Swim"
"Hearts Alight"
"Paisley Pumpkins"
Well I've gone on a lot longer here than I intended!
Thanks for taking the time to view my work.
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