Sunday, July 4, 2010

Sunflower Power - a reworked watercolor

15x22 watercolor over a failed vertical figure painting of my neighbor Jan in a purple suit with hat. Done while in the mountains for the 4th of July holiday, this one I thought would be another disaster but do like its idiosyncrasies. Look closely and you can see her eyes in the large green leaf upper right. After I return home I'll upload the original BEFORE version for comparison. This is on Fabriano 140 lb hot press paper that I scrubbed most of the paint off before drawing the flower in pencil.

10 comments:

Nancy Goldman said...

What an interesting idea. I would never have thought to re-work a painting so completely. I love the effect and can't wait to see the original painting.

Vernita Hoyt said...

I like this too! Also your new one just posted on the Daily Painters of Texas site.

Sandra Busby said...

I think the original failure did you a real favour since you have now produced something with another dimention of interest! It makes me think twice about throwing a failed piece of artwork again! I love it!

Bãpp said...

great job Kay,
jan :)

mollie jones said...

You always amaze me with these "do-overs". I love this one.

Vernita Hoyt said...

Question: When you rework a watercolor, do you scrub the original painting before you add new paint?

Kay Smith said...

Usually I just draw in pencil or colored pencil over the existing work then do the painting; this is the only one where I scrubbed off most of the watercolor. The reason is because the purple used in her dress was too dark. It leaves a nice soft underpainting and is total FUN.

Sandra Busby said...

I just wondered Kay - How do you mix those lovely pinks using watercolour, without using white?

Ai said...

Gorgeous rescue, Kay

Kay Smith said...

It seems I never photographed the original vertical figure since it was so awful. I can't locate a photo of it or a digital file, so you'll have to take my word for it.
Usually I'll take a shot of the bad one before touching it just in case...but didn't. Sorry!

As for the pale pink that is the scrubbed off permanent rose from the original work you are seeing Sandra. I did use quinacridone magenta here.

Thanks for all your comments!

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