Category Archives: Rose Oil Paintings

Three Red Roses

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Three Red Roses Oil Painting 9×12 by Winifred Whitfield

Its been a year or perhaps two since I’ve painted a floral still life and I it really hadn’t part of my plan. I was simply going through my images looking for the next portrait reference and a photo of three roses in a decorative vase (clearly out of place) was before me. I thought I’d do something quick as a diversion.

Three Red Roses 2 Oil Painting by Winifred Whitfield

Actually it was the painting below and to the right which was the first I painted. When it was finished, I wanted to try a different style of painting as well. So, I’ve ended up with two quite different paintings from the same reference image. The image to the right is most like the reference in colors and proportions. The one above is much more of an interpretation.

Well, it’s time for me to get back to my portrait study. The portrait reference is from a tight head shot, which is not the kind of portrait I particularly enjoy painting, but it’s continuing practice in drawing, developing an eye for proportions. and painting features which is a process and practice which never ends.

Hope you enjoy the roses. I know you don’t particularly enjoy commenting, but I would love to hear your thoughts/preference regarding these two paintings, so I will leave the comments turned on – but no pressure. Winifred mailto:[email protected]

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For the Love of Roses

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Rose Bouquet Magenta Oil Painting 16×16 Linen Panel by Winifred Whitfield

Painting this was a labor of love. Definitely it was labor but I rather enjoyed the arduous process of painting roses with a different look using looser more feathered strokes and edges. I’ve always wanted to do this but I had to figure out my process and become confident that loosening my control and grip of the brush would give me the results I wanted. I’ve made similar starts in the past on a flower or two, but to be stylistically consistent with more than a dozen flowers is an accomplishment. The fact is, a bit earlier in the process, I actually removed 7 roses (after lamenting the effort which had gone into painting them). The field was too crowded and the design flawed. The painting became stronger when I allowed the eye some room to move about.

Because I had created a rather classic look, I decided to paint a Dollie, which no one uses or paints anymore. I found that my hand and brush is willing to create this type of pattern without struggle – it was almost relaxing, no thinking involved. Painting roses is not. Thank you for the visit! Hope you enjoy. Have a great week. Winifred

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Abundance

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Winifred Paints Roses in Vase with Fruit Still Life 16×20

With my large format printer removed from my very long table, I have a new place I can set up to shoot still lifes with ease. The wall is a rich burgundy and I have a source of both natural and artificial light available to create reference photos from which I can paint. Often I don’t have a great deal of fruit in the house, but at the time I created this reference photo, I had abundance of fruit in the house – as well as artificial flowers. I used an electric coffee maker as my vase. My arrangements always take a while to create but ultimately, everything came together nicely.

Abundance – Initial color sketch 16×20 – by Winifred

Above, I liked the rough color/value sketch. It’s a loose painting style, some of which I hoped I would maintain in my final painting – but I failed to do so. In fact, I will soon create a painting where this painting style is the style for the painting. I like the fact that I can now, so quickly create shapes recognizable as a roses – which are complex to paint.

Below is a painting from my initial still life set up in the new location. I will soon purchase new silk roses with new colors and rose types.

6 Roses in Turquoise Vase – 11×14 panel.

I do love the turquoise and vivid magenta hues together. Thank you for observing my progress. Winifred

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Bouquets of Roses

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Roses are hard to paint – I think I said that before. I wanted to become more comfortable painting them – hence, I continue. I’ll change subjects pretty soon.

Rose Bouquet with Apples – 16×20 Oil Painting on Panel by Winifred

Above, the challenge was to paint a variety of different roses but to maintain a consistent painting style. For me, that required a great deal of discipline. I often like to paint in the “style of the moment”. By working to create a consistent style, some of the spontaneity was removed from the process – a type of “freeness” in hand movement I value. Even the fact that it is a 16×20 – not a small painting, increased the challenge.

Red Roses with Shadows on Stairs – 12×16 Oil on Canvas Panel

Above: I planned to take this vase of silk roses upstairs but set them on the landing temporarily. When I did, I immediately noticed the very interesting pattern of light on the roses but particularly the shadows reflected onto the landing. One rarely paints a still life using overhead light but this was special. I snapped several photos, one of which I would certainly later use as a painting references.

Below: Painting sketch from imagination. My challenge to myself – could I convey in only only a few quick brushstrokes the kind of flower I intended. This was fun! No laboring for hours or days to create this. It was quick, colorful and fun. I hope you recognize the flower!!!

Rose Bouquet 6×8 Sketch – by Winifred

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Roses Again

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Magenta Rose. 9×9 Oil Painting by Winifred

I’m always – well, not always, but from time to time, I go into intense rose practice sessions. Roses are complex and as with any flower, there are many ways to paint them. Above is a more traditional look.

Strawberries and Roses 11×14 Oil on Linen Panel by Winifred

These are abstracted roses. It started with a small aqua vase in a table next to me filed with white artificial roses with a pink trim. I immediately stepped outside of the box in my approach to painting them. My hands didn’t want to be traditional that day though I was completely open to it. Rarely do I know what direction I’m going to take when I start a painting. For me, it’s a good thing and I just enjoy the journey of unexplored roads. If I get completely lost – I toss it, but most often it leads me to a very interesting place I may never have chosen to go. Such was the case here. It does remind me a little of Cezanne’s color palette of golds. greens and blues and the use of black outlines.

Red Rose Leaves Buds, 9×12 Oil Painting by Winifred

This was a fast rose painting rather than one I labor over for hours – or days. I need to do more if this kind of painting. It gets one out of thinking so much. It gets one out of so much detail. Well, I’m interested to see what will happen next. I have absolutely no idea!!

I made so many typos last post, it was truly embarrassing. I hope never to do that again.

Thank you for looking. Winifred

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