Thursday, April 4, 2013

Another Day, Another Flower Painting


For the last few weeks, I've been immersed in painting imaginary flowers in Carla Sonheim's online Flower Crazy Class. This is one of my favorite paintings. It started as a purely abstract piece on a square piece of birch board.  In the class we learned how to use gesso to create wonderful texture and then paint with watercolor. The flowers gradually emerged as I added layers of watercolor, sanded, rubbed and added more paint. I love watercolor, but had never used it over gesso, nor on wood. It's amazing to me how beautiful and rich the results are. 






In this painting, perhaps my very favorite of the month, I  started with a collage layer before adding gesso and watercolor.



This one is also on an 8" x 8" wood panel. I am definitely going to continue use this painting method because it's so much fun to do, and I love the results!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today. I always appreciate your comments.
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39 comments:

  1. sharonApril 4, 2013 at 11:23 PM

    Love these, I too have recently discovered using watercolour over gesso, but havent used to create texture, so thank you for the inspiration. The first one is my favourite.

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  2. peggy aplSEEDSApril 5, 2013 at 12:39 AM

    these paintings are wonderful! i often use watercolor and colored pencil over gesso but not on wood. i should try it!
    happy Easter, happy PPF and thanks for sharing your lovely work!
    hugs,
    peggy aplSEEDS

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  3. ConnieApril 5, 2013 at 12:48 AM

    Your painting are amazingly beautiful.
    You have a very fresh eye :)
    Have a wonderful weekend and keep painting . . . you make this world a prettier place.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  4. froebelsternchenApril 5, 2013 at 1:20 AM

    Oh wow Debbie!
    I love those wonderful paintings!

    xxx Susi
    from
    ART-JOURNAL-JOURNEY
    would be so proud to have you with us this month with the new theme!

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  5. AnonymousApril 5, 2013 at 2:41 AM

    I really like both your pieces. I tried the technique myself this week and so enjoy the fact that everyone's flowers end up so different. The first one is so light and airy, fabulous.

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  6. NettyApril 5, 2013 at 2:42 AM

    Loving your beautiful flower paintings especially the first one.
    Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  7. AnonymousApril 5, 2013 at 3:54 AM

    Happy PPF. Love both pieces, but I really resonate with the second. I love the way you get texture just by painting on wood. xox

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  8. GinnyApril 5, 2013 at 4:34 AM

    I love the results you got with this method. The colors are beautiful on both. Thank you for sharing.

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  9. YvonneApril 5, 2013 at 5:00 AM

    I use watercolor but have never used it like this. Wow, your paintings are amazingly beautiful. I would love to learn how to do this...if you ever give a tutorial, let me know.

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  10. DeannaApril 5, 2013 at 5:22 AM

    Wow! I really love the first painting! I never knew you could use watercolor over gesso or on wood. Great technique, absolutely stunning!

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  11. ErikaApril 5, 2013 at 5:56 AM

    Thank you for sharing both painting. The first one is my favorite :) It is a new technique for me too. Love to see more!
    Happy PPF
    Erika

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  12. PaintingWriteApril 5, 2013 at 6:57 AM

    These are gorgeous. The first one especially is my favourite - it is such a dreamy scene and those flowers are stunning!

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  13. AbelaApril 5, 2013 at 7:22 AM

    I love the texture and the combination of colors so special. Saludos

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  14. GlorV1April 5, 2013 at 7:34 AM

    I like both your pieces. Great texture and color. I also love the idea of watercolor and gesso. Thanks. Happy PPF!

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  15. Valerie-JaelApril 5, 2013 at 8:23 AM

    Just beautiful, the first one is my absolute fave! Valerie

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  16. ann @ studiohydeApril 5, 2013 at 8:24 AM

    Brilliant work. I can see you really enjoyed doing these.

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  17. Elizabeth DianneApril 5, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    I love this piece and will be trying out that method--

    Just gorgeous!

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  18. K J DApril 5, 2013 at 9:45 AM

    Both paintings are amazing.... really.

    I really love the different styles of flowers in the second piece and your 'gears' inspiration in the previous post too.

    Thank you for your lovely comment btw

    Happy PPF!

    Karen x

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  19. Anne MandaApril 5, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    I love love love both, just incredible depth, richness and texture and divine colors. Love your style! <3

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  20. DianneApril 5, 2013 at 11:04 AM

    Your flower paintings are beautiful! very Springy...beautiful texture and lovely color combinations. happy PPF!

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  21. ChristineApril 5, 2013 at 11:55 AM

    I'm going to have to start using gesso, wonderful richness! Nice work!

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  22. MarjiApril 5, 2013 at 12:25 PM

    I really can't pick a favorite here - both are really beautiful. I do love the variety of textures and colors you are getting in both of these. Beautiful work!

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  23. IvyApril 5, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    These are wonderful but my fav is the first one. HPPF!

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  24. UnknownApril 5, 2013 at 3:00 PM

    Gorgeous and delicate, very delicate almost eternal, very well matched colours and great composition. Fantastic. Thank you for sharing.

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  25. GigglesApril 5, 2013 at 4:04 PM

    I can't even decide which one I love more because they are both so beautiful in their own right....love the gentle movement and color in the pink one and the whimsy and lines of the second!! Thanks for sharing a bit of the process!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  26. Lynn CohenApril 5, 2013 at 4:23 PM

    What beauty emerges from your layers of painting and adding other elements in this interesting process. The results are stunning!

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  27. UnknownApril 5, 2013 at 4:46 PM

    those are wonderful. I love the rich colors and texture. HPPF!!

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  28. bellefrogworksApril 6, 2013 at 7:47 AM

    Your paintings are fabulous. Love the vibrant color and gentle flow of the art. In the first one I also see a picture of jellyfish gently floating to the surface of the water. Wonderful job. HPPF

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  29. Linda KunsmanApril 6, 2013 at 12:42 PM

    gorgeous projects!!! You have me very tempted to take this class- I love the thought of using the techniques you describe. Fantastic!

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  30. LorraineApril 6, 2013 at 12:43 PM

    like the textures in this painting

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  31. soulbrushApril 6, 2013 at 3:01 PM

    I really like the whole effect, a bit ethereal. Happy PPF.

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  32. ElisaApril 6, 2013 at 9:46 PM

    debbie this is such an interesting approach to watercolor painting. Thank you for sharing. I adore your paintings. How the textures just emerge and the colors are vivid. Great works!

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  33. UnknownApril 7, 2013 at 6:41 AM

    I do like your flowers. it's always wonderful when the inspiration fly's and you get loads done :) Dxx

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  34. Šolanje na domu-WaldorfApril 8, 2013 at 4:08 AM

    You have a wonderful style. The flowers look wonderful and full of energy. :)

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  35. DVArtistApril 8, 2013 at 7:51 AM

    These are great. So bright and full of life.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  36. Cris, Oregon ArtistApril 9, 2013 at 9:57 AM

    What an interesting technique. Love what came out of it.

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  37. UnknownApril 9, 2013 at 10:11 AM

    I love your first flower painting soooo much! There's so much life in it! I might have to get my hands on some gesso!!

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  38. Kim DellowApril 11, 2013 at 1:10 PM

    So pretty, they look wonderful. Kim

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  39. PiaRomApril 14, 2013 at 3:23 AM

    WOW these pieces really caught my eyes! I love those crazy flower, the first one is my favorite and the second one is so special because of its wonderful shapes and layers! Loooove them both! ♥ Conny
    http://piaromsartjournaling.blogspot.de

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