Dandelion Heads

This weeks subject for Avon Valley Artists was 'Action, Movement'. There were some lovely paintings of skier,sailing boats and people involved in different sorts of activities. I chose to paint a group of dandelion seed heads, with some of the seeds in flight.

I did the drawing at home and used masking fluid to block out the seeds. I used a drawing pen to get really fine lines, but it did take some time. I did it the previous evening as it takes some time to dry, and it is not good to try to dry it with a hairdryer. I am always a little anxious about doing it the night before, as if its left on too long, it can remove the surface of the paper when you rub it away. Masking fluid also takes off the surface of cheap papers sometimes, so beware!

At AVA I was able to start immediately with the painting, and as usual, I wet the whole sheet, except the seed head itself, and then dropped colour into the wash, and allowed it to dry. I was careful about using the hairdryer as I did not want to affect the masking fluid.

I then painted in the elements of the picture, before removing the masking fluid to reveal all the seeds.
I was quite disappointed at this stage as I thought that the seeds in flight were too big and heavy for the dandelion clocks, but did not think I could do much about it except wash away some of the colour to make them less prominent.

I then used various dark colours and some pen work to give me a base to the painting so that the clocks looked as if they were growing in a field and I was finished.

When I got home, and propped the painting up in the studio I was still very unhappy about the RH side of the painting, but I really liked the three dandelion clock, although they are much more delicate than lots that I usually paint, so I decided that it was time for a cropping!

I simply removed a section of the RH side and a little from the top and bottom to keep the proportions about right, and then gently washed away any dark seed areas in the sky which partially remained in the picture.

Although not perfect, I think this has made the painting a much 'prettier' image and more successful as a composition despite losing the really dark area at the bottom which is a pity.

For some reason the photo looks a bit washed out but I think the general idea is still there, and in a frame it seems ok, but not one I will be hanging on the wall at home.

I have a feeling that 'Tried hard but could do better' is an appropriate comment.

Next week its 'Winter Flowers' so I am looking forward to that!