Wednesday 4 February 2009

NEXT STAGE OF TULIPS IN AMSTERDAM

I have had such fun these past two afternoons in my warm little study, playing with my acrylic 'abstract' modern piece. Thought you would like to see how I am getting on.

This first image is of the painting with some of my photos I printed from my archives from when we visited Amsterdam a few years ago with our son. You can see that I have started to add some waterside buildings, reflections, a canal boat, a windmill and a little Van Gogh style bridge.

This second photo is of the stage I am at this evening and I had the glorious idea of adding my version of Van Gogh's starry night swirly sky to bring in this Dutch artist's influence!!! Brainwave don't you think?? I also decided to add some swirls to the water.

Other things I worked on was reducing the size of the central tulip as it was overpowering and this change helped show more windmill and sky; making subtle changes in tone on the vase and the petals and leaves; getting a more 3D layered look by developing the stalk shadows on the vase and over the swing bridge. Then developing the style and tone of the buildings and removing their roofs, developing the canal boat and putting silver on the windmill blades.

I'll have to wait until tomorrow to see where it takes me from here. ... if anywhere!? I think it is really working for me - hurrah for zentangle practice.

8 comments:

Sandy Maudlin said...

Joan, This painting is really, really looking good... very spohisticated in the way it's painted and so creative. I love it!

Anita Davies said...

The sky was a genius addition Joannie! You can tell from the painting that you are really enjoying yourself. :)

Margaret Ann said...

WoooWEEE!!!! Free and spontaneous and packed with fun! This is smashing! :)

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Ooh, I'm so glad you like this zany me comimg out to go with my VOODOO glasses!!! As suggested by Robert, I've been thinking whilst coping with a migraine this morning that I might use my travels to create a series of flowers and background images in this style. Already had idea of proteus plants with Table Mountain, penguins, cave art and long straight roads with weavil bird nests on posts from my South Africa trip in 2007. Then there are our trips to India, Sri Lanka, Caribbean, Greek islands etc etc - oh I am excited. Thanks Robert.

Anita said...

I think this is such fun! I really need to get back to some fun art!
Hope you migraine is getting better.

carol said...

I love the idea of a series - you can have great fun with it. Good luck with the competition - could be the winner. Also hope you are feeling better by now.

RH Carpenter said...

First, I do hope you are migraine-free now - those things are real art killers! Love the quirky fun look of this already, Joan - and I mean quirky in the best way, as in, why didn't I think of that, it's so inventive and fun.
Be well so you can paint more...

Robert A Vollrath said...

This is a wonderful painting.
I hope you keep going in this direction in the future.

I have the biggest smile from looking at this painting.