Tag Archives: Winifred Whitfield Sunflower Oil Paintings

Beauty In All Life Phases

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Sunflower Skeleton 12×16 Oil Painting bt Winifred Whitfield

Unlike with most flowers, I’ve always enjoyed the many phases of life of the sunflower and I have paintings which reflect this. However, I didn’t have a painting quite like this. While going through my files this past week, I came upon this reference photo – I knew instantly I had to paint it. I’m not sure you can tell exactly what it is. It’s actually two large overlapping sunflower heads. All the petals have fallen off and it’s large sunflower seeds have begun to dry. I love the “curls” and the way the light is hitting the dramatic shapes. At 16 x12 , this painting is relatively large and has tremendous visual impact and presence.

I hope you enjoy it. Have a wonderful weekend. Winifred

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Rays of Light

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Golden Rays of Light 16×20 Oil Painting by Winifred Whitfield

I had hoped to have my “Guatemalan Man” painting completed to post today but I’ve been so busy framing a large number of paintings to finally hang on my walls. Actually, friends who are good at that kind of thing are coming over to help – in fact, coming over to lead the effort. That’s why I’ve not finished the “man’s” painting. I want to, I really like it quite a lot. I’ll post it soon.

I think this this floral has good energy in it’s expressive petal strokes. I like the way it “feels”and looks. I hope you enjoy it. It’s framed in a 5 inch wide antique frame I purchased at an estate sale recently which gives it lots of presence. There was a wonderful beveled glass mirror in the frame which I removed. It’s just perfect. I don’t intend to begin a new still life for awhile.

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Sunflowers, Sunshine and Blood Oranges

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Sunflowers and Blood Oranges 20 x 24 Oil Painting by Winifred

In my last post I shared the initial paint sketch, for the above painting I had in mind. It was part of a process which really makes a positive difference, though I rarely follow it. A large sketch – about 11×14 was created, followed by the small painting to test color and design (see previous post). The test painting was a long and skinny. I then did a vine charcoal sketch on my 20x 30 inch panel. This required altering the aspect ratio from the small test painting, but knew I could manage this. The idea was not to make the final painting identical to the small painting. I painted the full 20 x 30 painting, which I like, but have decided to crop it to 20×24. Both versions work but the cropped is just a little more impactful. This is my largest painting to date. I will be creating more. Hope you enjoy. Thank you, Winifred

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Back to Painting Sunflowers

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Sunflowers with Oranges 5×12 Oil Painting – by Winifred

My Venice paintings were rather complex – not to say, sunflowers are not challenging, but painting them brings a smile. The above oil painting was particularly enjoyable and was created from imagination. I created quite a lot of paintings from imagination when I painted digitally. I felt I had less to risk if I screwed up. I could throw away a layer – only part of the image, and make corrections. I feel great joy when I look at the above painting, which hopefully means I’ll create more.

Sunflowers in Red Vase -8×10 Oil Painting – by Winifred
Golden Sunflowers – 9×12 oil painting by Winifred
9×12 Impasto Oil Painting of Sunflowers – by Winifred

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Trying Something New

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Sunflowers Against Red Oil Painting by Winifred 11×14 on Panel

The first paintings and the one below represent a very recent new technique I am trying.  I spread onto my panel a relatively thick layer of  material to serve as an underpainting and then carved my image into it with the and of a brush or palette knife. At that point you can create additionally as much or as little texture through out.  I allowed it to dry for 2 months. I then painted in the dark outline surrounding each element before beginning to paint with loose imprecise  brush strokes and palette knife. 

Sunflower with Fuchsia 11×14 Oil Painting by Winifred

 I have created paintings ranging from those as precise as photographs to loose bold  painting strokes and texture like these.  This is one of my favorite styles.  I am very excited about this process and I love the results.  One of the wonderful things about oil painting is that you can never say you are done with learning and experimenting.  It’s endless, if you’re a curious person who loves to try new things and I am one of those people.  

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Sunflower Seeds and Stems on a Brick

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11×14 Oil Painting on a Panel

Sunflower Stem and Seeds Oil Painting by Winifred

Not long ago, I paint sunflowers with petals drooping and falling off.

This time, I decided to create a sunflower painting at a stage when all it’s yellow petals had dropped. What you see is the rather stiff green bract, located behind the petals. I find every aspect of the sunflower’s structure and development beautiful and quite fascinating. Initially I set up a single flower head, but two provided much more interest. For this still life set up, I used sunlight  beaming through my window blinds to provide dramatic light.  I’m pretty happy with the painting. I may have it cut it to a square in order to alter the design so the bottom flower is not dead center.  Hope you like it.

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