Iris Study #5

Iris Study #5/ oil on board/ 4" x 4" /SOLD

Another in the little iris series, this one is also backlit. I love the pinks with the contrasting yellow-orange beards.

Backlit Iris

Backlit Iris Study/ oil on board/ 6" x 6"/ $125

This is a larger iris study, closely cropped to focus on the beautiful glowing backlit colors.  Although most of the irises have finished blooming here for 2013, I have some beautiful images until they return next year.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/sue-churchgrant/backlit-iris-study/143244

White Iris Study

White Iris Study/ oil on board/ 4" x 4"

This is another small iris study. The challenge on this painting was to paint the velvet richness and mass of the falls contrasted with the delicate standards, all on a white on white flower.

"D" is for

"D" is for/ oil on board/ 4" x 4"/ $75

Thank you for your suggestions for the letter "D" for my "Alphabet Fruit and Vegetable Series". After the dandelions were completed, another friend suggested "Dragon Fruit" (link). This is an absolutely beautiful fruit that I have never see nor heard of. Next visit to Whole Foods, it may replace this "D". Until then, "E" is easier. My goal is to complete a series of great little paintings to then make into "Alphabet Books" for my new great niece and nephews.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/sue-churchgrant/d-is-for/142763

Sylvan Heights and Flamingo Study

Many of you know that I have difficulty driving because of my vision. Therefore, I depend on the kindness of my friends and family to take me places beyond the small area near my house. Today, my husband took me to "Duckling Day" at Sylvan Heights (link). Sylvan Heights Bird Park allows an "up-close experience with over 2,000 ducks, geese, swans and other exotic birds from around the world" in an 18 acre facility. It is not to be missed if you are ever in the area. Here my husband (notice his handwritten correction to his "Mr Church" name tag) is "modeling" for me in the park's newest attraction "The Landing Zone" where visitors can purchase "feed sticks" to interact with the many birds in this exhibit.  "Duckling Day" was an amazing experience. The park's staff ands volunteers worked to make this a fantastic event as they hosted, educated and guided all of us today.

And, you know I am excited to have added to my bird images.... another of the subjects that I LOVE to paint.

Flamingo Study/ watercolor/12"x 10"/ SOLD

  This is another of the residents of The Landing Zone.

Rose Study

Rose Study/ oil on board/ 5" x 5"

While my large watercolor progresses layer by layer, this is a small study attempting to learn square deliberate brush strokes. Roses season is just starting so there will be plenty to practice on. My alphabet project got stuck at "d". Today I came across "dill"at the market. It seems more appealing that "dates". Any other suggestions?

Daisies and Roses and Foxgloves Worked Out

Daisies and Roses/ oil on board/ 8" x 8"

This small painting started by underpainting with magenta and coral acrylic paint. I scraped some of the painting back to expose pieces of the underpainting  and scratched the surface to "free" some of the tight flowers.

To understand how to paint foxgloves, I zoomed in on a couple of the blossoms.
These were dimensional on a white background also, so technically this will work. To achieve form: there are soft value shifts across the top of the blossoms, That means that where there is a change in value, the transition line has to be wet and blended. There is also a color transition from "warm" permanent rose to "cool" passionate purple, sometimes with a little cobalt to blue it further. The rim between the outer blossom and the tunnel inside is a very light value and then there is a sharp edge and a shadow color that has grey in it. Lastly, the inner dots have soft edges and blur together by a light directed clear water wash.

This background is three glazes of indigo over an underpainting of blurred greens and purples.