From above

Spring is late this year, and all I could find to sketch in my garden were these three tulips, seeking a bit of sun like all of us this May. It took a while to figure out the right mix of colours to get the glowing orange/pink of the blooms. Quinacridone Rose, Azo Yellow and a bit of Transparent Orange did the job, in the end. And although I rarely use it, Lunar Black mixed with Alizarin Crimson gave me a dark that was just right for the centres. Sketched in a Travelogue Watercolour Journal, 8″ x 8″.


13 Comments on “From above”

  1. TonyU says:

    You must have had Amsterdam on your mind!

    • It must have been Tony! My teaching semester is almost over and I’m certainly looking forward to all the travel I have planned. July isn’t that far off anymore…

  2. Denise says:

    I’ve been on a tulip painting binge this past week- if only I’d seen this sooner, mine would look much better! See you Friday

  3. Ghislaine says:

    Such an interesting composition. Aerial view. I love that.

  4. Nice pictures of Tulips, mine are in full bloom right now, and I got some photos a few days ago. I’m hoping to get some pictures of Trilliums this week.

  5. Judy Sopher says:

    Interesting viewpoint–almost abstract . Is that pyrrole orange? Lovely color you mixed. I have tried to use a limited palette but every time you mention another color, I want to add it.

  6. joantav says:

    I like your composition looking down into the tulips. Nicely done!!

  7. Rita Cleary says:

    Shari….I have noticed in many of your sketches (not this one so much) how you do trees….very simple (usually), with a light undercolor and then a darker color over top. Do you let the undercolor dry and then add the darker color? That’s what it looks like. Trees (which are EVERYWHERE) are very challenging for me, so I’m looking to find a way to depict them simply. We forget how wonderful the brain is. I’m very literal, so it’s hard for me to just suggest, but I’m trying to. Thanks.

  8. Very beautiful


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