Yellow Flowers – 9×12 Oil on Gessoed Board

Yellow Flowers with Vine Oil Painting by Winifred

I had a different painting in mind when I started – the sketch below makes that pretty clear.  The change was even more radical than is apparent.  I set up a vase of flowers which had two yellow, three red and three deep purple flowers in it! 

After I completed my sketch, I ruffed in the shadows, and  began extending the energetic brushstrokes to the edges.  I decided it looked like foliage and kept it.

I added highlights and shadows using dancing brushstrokes to the lower background and foreground.  It started to come together. Some how, I didn’t want all the colors in the vase.  I decided on yellow flowers only.  I added my yellow flower  along with a bit of hue changes in the same  brushstroke style I’d been using throughout.  I then began to focus these strokes to giving abstract definition of flower structure.

I liked the painting at this point and could have left it but I wanted a greater sense of dimension which I would only get by affecting the hues and tones of shadows and highlights.  Below, I have added purple, and muted dark blue glazes to various areas along with impasto to pop the highlights and a twining vine. With that, I could call it good.  I will know after I look at it over time.  I can always make some changes if necessary. Hope you enjoy! Winifred

Yellow Flowers Oil Painting by Winifred

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