Floral -- Zinnia Garden

Just started this new floral garden piece, I did a quick value study on the painting board and will paint this piece tomorrow.

 
OK, day two working on this painting, roughing in the colors, textures and lay out of the painting. I worked till past dark so this photo is not very good, the painting is more vibrant. (I had to use the flash) Now the painting is about 1/2 finished. I changed the position of the butterfly so it would tie in with the flowers more, I didn't get a chance to even start on the bumble bee yet, and still have lots of work to do on the flowers.

 Zinnia Garden

18 x 20

oil on board

Finished this painting today. Again, I worked till the light was gone so had to take a flash photo of this painting. Colors are a little more vibrant than what you see here today. I will try to photograph outdoors tomorrow.

Zinnias are one of my favorite summer flowers, and this beautiful garden also has a tiger swallowtail butterfly, another of my favorites! This painting is for sale for $325.00 and comes with free shipping till the end of February for customers in the Continental USA.

Copyright 2012, by the artist, Susan M. Spohn

Mouse in the Yarrow Garden

Mouse in the Yarrow Garden

18 x 18

oil on board

Finished this painting today. You can see the beginning steps below in the previous blog posting. The main focus of this painting was the yarrow plant in full bloom.. and then a little mouse slipped into the back left-hand side of the painting. I really think he is cute, and you hardly see him unless your are looking for him. This paining is for sale $325.00 and includes free shipping in the Continental USA.

Copyright 2012, by the artist, Susan M. Spohn

The Process of a New Painting...

Today I started a new painting. First I did a value study on my board. I just brushed in grey tones to lay out the general painting.

I do not often start with a value study, but this painting had a limited subject matter and really only one and 1/2 types of flowers. The painting will work or not work depending on the the values I choose and the drama.  Below you can see the start of the colorization process. I added  a mouse, (the painting was just calling out for this little guy...) Tomorrow I will finish the painting with my pallet knives.

Yarrow & Mouse (partially finished)

18 x 18

oil on board

Watching Spiders, Floral Diptych

Floral Diptych : Watching Spiders 

36 x 72

oil on 2 boards

(I was unable to get a decent photo of my painting today, so excuse the improper lighting and the fact that the two halves are not next to each other....)  Copyright 2012, by the artist, Susan M. Spohn

I have finished this large diptych of a wonderful flower garden. I painted this piece using mainly pallet knives and then finishing up with some brushes. This was a whimsical, fun adventure starting with just a few photos of some flowers I wanted to use in this garden. Then as I started, I imagined I could see a cat sitting in the garden, watching a spider...... well, the storyline grew from there, until not only was there a resplendent floral garden with a cat and a spider.... but also; a caterpillar, a salamander, 2 frogs, a baby bunny, 3 bees and 4 butterflies! Can you find them all?

Here are some hints: