Monday 20 January 2014

Painting Cos' Solar Plexus


A couple of days in the studio and I have managed to make a start on the middle leaves, (which were a really tricky green) and the right leaf. For the middle I used a lot of W&N transparent yellow, and Daler and Rowney Vivid Green, the later of which is opaque so I had to be a bit careful with how I applied it. Then I also used a spot of W&N French Ultramarine and W&N Prussian Blue.  

For the right leaf I used a lot more Permanent Rose to get the shadows really dark and then again I used that Vivid Green. I am a bit funny about the Vivid stuff as it's very bright and can look really un-natural, but when the light is shining through a leaf it actually makes it that bright. When a highlight is from reflected light though, I tend to see it being more of a greyish tinge, or in this case sometimes yellow. Anyway - I just wish the Vivid Green wasn't so opaque. Daler or Winsor - if you are reading, please can you make a transparent version? Or, if anyone has any suggestions, please let me know, I am always very grateful for any advice.

I am glad to be back and embracing 2014 with all my gusto.

2 comments:

  1. Glad to see you back in action, Jess. I haven't hear of vivid green, so can't comment. What about using different yellows as a base to get that glow? I quite like the winsor yellows, and they pop with a drop of cerulean... sometimes a little too much but that can be tamed! The Schmincke cerulean is more translucent than the W&N. That said, you're doing a great job!! :)

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  2. Really good to see you getting back to the studio and back to Cos. I really like using Transparent Yellow too, especially as a wash over greens to give a glowing finish. Love the bubbly effect you have going on to the middle and left leaf.

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