Orchids is my newest painting. After blocking in the basic composition, (two flowers on the upper and mid left and a long vertical for the stem), I created most of this work through negative painting. I painted a series of dark saturated colors in a “blocky” wash, grading from very dark and cool at the top to warmer and lighter on the bottom. I dropped a line of permanent rose from the top orchid, through the bottom orchid , which creates movement through the background, as it also ties the two flowers together visually. My goal was to create an abstract painting behind the flowers, which makes a more dynamic background. Use of negative painting and lots of white highlights give the flowers drama.
I wanted the orchid stem to flow into the background at the bottom of the painting. The background wash drips onto a light warm field of raw sienna. The orchid stem grades from dark blues-green into red and finally becomes part of the background drips.
Orchids was painted on 1/4 sheet of Arches 140# cold press paper. Image size: 7.5″ x 22″ Matted size 12.5″ X 27″ $350
I will be teaching several watercolor workshops in 2017. Each session will focus on different techniques, concepts, and effects. Please visit my workshop link to find a class near you: watercolor workshop schedule
more new floral watercolors below:
