Monday 10 December 2012

Butterfly 2

I thought it was time to give the butterfly book another airing. This time the painting is inspired by a photograph of a Malaysian Clipper. I make no apology for the fact that the finished painting in no way resembles the Clipper, but I wanted to use some of the beautiful blues present in the original picture.



I began by washing the sheet of Fabriano Artistico Extra White 'Not' 300gm paper with clean water, and dropped in a variety of blues, including Cobalt, Ultramarine, Quinachridone  and Teal. I also added a bit of Quinachridone Magenta in a couple of places.

I then did the drawing, trying to balance both sides of the butterfly, but adding a bit of variety.

The painting was done using the same colours as the background with additions of some earth colours for the body and some black ink with plenty of water for the bottom edges of the wings.



The original wash gave lovely variations of colours between the wing markings, but it did have the disadvantage of taking away some of the freshness and translucence of the blue markings. Trying to keep it as fresh as possible, I did use some white gouache to replace the lost whiteness of the paper. I was not totally sure what I was doing with the painting, as I wanted it to be a bit loose and to have some lost edges, so I tried to keep reminding myself that the wings needed treating in the same way as I normally treat flower petals, and if I did that, it would turn out ok.

I painted the upper side much more loosely using less careful brushstrokes and plenty of water so that the top left edges bled into the background and I omitted quite a bit of the detail in this area, too, I then completed the background with washes of Teal Blue and Indian Yellow, and added a half identifiable second Butterfly in a much warmer colour.

When the painting was finished, I completed the image by adding black lines using Indian ink on a fine paintbrush and a fine-line permanent marker to highlight some of the drawing lines and I then, as usual, gave the whole thing a good splatter, using a variety of colours from the painting, including the Indian Ink..

On the whole, I am very pleased with the outcome and feel that the subject is worth pursuing. My only reservation is the second butterfly which I hope does not detract from the freshness of the main subject.


                                                    'Butterfly 2'    30cm x 45cm


Since finishing the painting, and looking at it from time to time propped up in the studio, I decided that the secondary butterfly needed its shape improving and the whit areas on the RH side needed a little toning down. I have made the necessary adjustments and hope that, although they are minimal, you think I was right to do so! (Taking photos at different times of day makes consistency of colour a bit difficult....my apologies!)


Still not satisfied with the bottom LH corner, so have played around a bit more and at one stage felt that I had overworked it, but I hope I have got it back on track!


12 comments:

  1. This is a lovely painting. You have even given movement to it's wings.

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  2. Thank you Polly. As you can see, I did have some problems, but I am glad you like the final result.

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  3. Back on track for sure, really nice

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    1. Thank you for your comments and interest, Lorraine.

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  4. Fascinating insight into your thought process and another wonderful piece. For me the wider value range in the penultimate picture is a little more striking.

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    1. Thanks Mick. The primary butterfly was not altered at all, so I think the last photo looks different as it was taken in the evening and the automatic flash went off, and this does make things look different. I do try to take all the pictures in similar light but it is not always easy.

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  5. Another wonderful lesson in the art of producing a loose painting by carefully considering each step. Though I did like the darker trailing edge of the wings in the initial painting. You can't please everyone Yvonne.

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    1. Thank goodness we are all different, but as I pointed out to Mick, some of the problem lies in taking the photos. In the final painting the dark trailing edge still exists, but I think the flash on the camera absorbed quite a lot of the pigment making everything look a bit washed out! Sorry about that.

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  6. More excellent work, although I think I just about prefer Numbers 2 and 3 rather than 4. I think 4 has lost a little definition. All great though.

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  7. Thanks Peter. Glad you like it. As I said in the other replies, I don't think the main butterfly was changed at all, its just a different photo, different time of day etc.

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  8. Loving this set of butterflies Yvonne. Looking forward to the next one.

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  9. Thanks Jan. I hop[e they get even better after a bit of practice

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