As the blooms were drying and fading - though that really is the wrong word as they were getting stronger in colour and losing all their delicate pink - I decided to depict them that way in my handmade sketchbook of flowers. This time I used my 36 pans of St Petersburg watercolours as they are so strong - voila !
Kari Gibson reminded me in a recent comment that these wonderful large blooms dry beautifully for winter flower arrangements. Two minds but with a single thought - here is my jug from one of the kitchen windows that also holds dried teazle and wooden carved snowdrops I purchased at a gallery on the East coast of Norfolk recently.
.. oh yes, I thought it might be 'artistic' to photo the jug with the painting.I am already working on number five - pensketch started of a pot of geraniums I brought in from the garden to the sunroom to work on last night. Watch this space ....
7 comments:
Beautiful Joannie...What a wonderful book this will be when it is complete...Can't wait to get my hands on it in person.
Thanks Nitsa. Hope you dont mind the splashy bits this time round - I needed something to join the group of fading blooms to the two little individual pink ones on the left.
I like the splashy bits!
The resulting painting (and arty photo) is absolutely beautiful.
I think hydrangeas have done so well this year because they like a lot of moisture - grrrr!
Still, at last we can get out into our gardens.
Very nice sketch a n d photo, Joan! - How do you like these St.Petersburg Watercolours (in comparison with W&N or Schmincke)? I'm afraid they are not as lightfast as the above mentioned brands, but have already thought of buying them a-thousand times...
Hi Kari - yes I quite liked the photo too.
Claudia - I agree from experience the St Petersburg are not so lightfast but enjoy using my full 36 pan set, as the colours are so pure and easy to use and so many delightful shades. Lots of greens - bit of a cheet really but helps when sketching not to have to mix. A tip if you buy them - especially in hot climate: put them in the fridge to harden before you peel off the silver wrappings. .. but I dont mind as its the softness that I like.
Great sketch and a beautiful book to hold them also. I really liked the pic of the vase with sketchbook...nicely placed. :)
I love hydrangeas - your painting is stunning, the colours are so rich and yummy, thank you for sharing!
Post a Comment