Thursday, December 9, 2010

Carnation Carnival

A bit tired of doing Christmas images (not really!) so I plunged right back into the floral world by drawing and painting the lowly carnation which is my January birth month's flower. Always the cheapest you can buy they are stuck into bouquets for fillers or in funeral arrangements. How sad! I said that this common specimen is so often overlooked by artists...by me, at least in pursuit of more worthy blooms such as the romantic rose, the classic calla lily, or the terrific tulip.

So with that in mind after my drawing was done on 11x15 Strathmore 140 lb paper, I spritzed cobalt blue, arylide yellow, and permanent rose onto dry paper. I used a black and white photo and not color to get as spontaneous as possible. Next I began laying in the darks and wanted this flower to appear multicolored and mysterious, not at all like its usual self. So a pale pink carnation becomes the belle of the ball. Just in time for Christmas! Ho, ho, ho! I hope you like it!

11 comments:

Sandra Busby said...

Did you hear my wishful sigh when I saw this painting? One day I hope to be able to master watercolour as you have. My comfort zone is acrylics. The flower is beautiful, delicate and fresh :0)

JANE MINTER said...

beautiful kay ! ..you'll have a wonderful collection of xmas cards

Kay Smith said...

Thank you Sandra and Jane!

Vernita Hoyt said...

ho-ho-ho, I love it! Beautiful carnation. You've really mastered watercolor.

Vernita Hoyt said...

Forgot to say, Carnation is my birth month also (January).

Kay Smith said...

Thanks Nita! What day of January is your birthday? Mine is the 23rd.

Laura Leeder said...

This one's a charmer!

Margie Whittington said...

Beautiful, Kay! Colors are great!I really enjoy seeing your work.

Kay Smith said...

Laura and Margie thanks so very much!

Priti said...

This is so beautiful, i saw it on wetcanvas and had to come over to your blog and comment. Happy holidays!

Kay Smith said...

Priti, so glad to see you over here checking out the blog! I'm glad you like the lowly carnation, too.

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