During a recent trip to my family, my sister bought me a lovely book of butterflies. I thought they might make a nice change from flowers and hoped that they would suit my style of working. This is my first attempt, so I hope that with a bit of practice I will be able to refine the results.
I used Fabriano paper, and my usual palette, deliberately choosing to paint a butterfly with lots of orange and green so that I could make further use of the tube of Translucent Orange from Schminke. The green, I mixed from Teal Blue from Daniel Smith and Indian Yellow from Daler Rowney.
I did a simple drawing, and then painted in the background in the same way that I do with the flower studies, and whilst it was still wet, I sprayed the edges around the butterfly with granulating fluid, so that the colours of the background seeped into the butterfly shape, to give some soft edges.
I then painted the butterfly itself using the two colours mentioned and adding others where necessary. I think there is Quinachridone rust and Transparent Orange Iron amongst others.
I used Indian ink on the reverse end of a thin paint brush to put in the black lines and immediately sprayed with granulating fluid to soften them and to create some texture.
I finally gave the whole painting a good splatter, using all the colours used in the painting but predominantly black and white, being careful to allow each colour to completely dry before adding the next.
I think it has worked sufficiently well to encourage me to have another go. There might even be a series in the making!
More than sufficiently well, I really like this
ReplyDeleteGreat, thanks for the encouragement, Lorraine, I will certainly do more.
DeleteBeautifully executed Yvonne, a lovely painting. It was so interesting to find out how you achieved the result.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ray. I am only sorry I did not do a bit more stage by stage this time. I just get carried away and forget to take the photos!
DeleteVery lovely - I love how you share your techniques - and I love it when someone does a series of a subject so look forward to more butterflies from you
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sharon, there will certainly be more!
DeleteI don't believe you any more when you protest that some subject matter is not for you, Your range of techniques is of such a high standard that you can cope with anything. This is another wonderful piece. Thankyou.
ReplyDeleteSorry Mick, I do not intend to be ingenuous, nor do I want to blow my own trumpet! I am always striving to improve, and do think I have weaknesses in various subjects, but also 'my type of thing' is often a lack of interest in the subject as well.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you like the piece and, like your 'Irises' I can feel a series coming on.
Lovely. Just shows what pushing the boundaries achieves.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter. It is nice to try a new subject which fits my style of painting. Glad you like it!
ReplyDelete