Cyclamen, two ways
Posted: November 20, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: cyclamen, direct watercolour, flowers painting, watercolour 52 CommentsWork has been keeping me busy these days, and my sketching feels very rusty. I notice it as I draw and also as I paint. But I needed a break from my computer today and I had these beautiful cyclamen sitting on my dining room table — a beautiful gift from a friend that needed to be recorded in my sketchbook.
I started my first sketch with an ink drawing and then added watercolour. I really wanted the pink flowers to stand out, but I knew as soon as I painted it that the dark background was a mistake. I lost all the delicacy of the flowers and the whole thing became too heavy. My rusty painting manifested itself here with paint that is too thickly applied.
For my second try, on the facing page of my sketchbook, I gave up on the ink line and went directly to drawing with my brush. And not just any brush, it’s a new swordliner from Rosemary & Co. It’s a long pointy and slightly floppy brush (I have the 1/4″ version) that holds a lot of paint, and I am just getting to know it (and to love it). I think the dancing movement of the petals is much better described with lighter and more juicy washes, and I’m much happier with this version. I’ll make sure I post other experiments with the brush. I think it will be fantastic for florals and also for foliage and trees.
I love these, Shari. Both versions. I haven’t had much luck painting cyclamen. Maybe someday they’ll be in one of your classes!
Laura, I will add that to my list!!
Oh yay! Thank you. I know if you teach it, I will be able to do it! I always paint well under your direction.
Absolutely lovely Shari, they both are -and I really love the second version- the petals just glow! And I so much appreciate seeing both versions- it’s so helpful to see real examples of what is different between two versions and to read your thoughts about the process. And a good example of how valuable it is to “just do another one”! Enjoy your new brush- sounds fun! Look forward to seeing your further experiments.
Iona, it was interesting for me too. And it’s really interesting to read the comments. People are quite divided in what they like. Fascinating. Glad this was helpful.
I like both versions of your cyclamens. Thank you for sharing the description of your process and what tools you used. I’ve been playing around with painting the same scene on stone paper and regular watercolour paper. Painting or sketching is a good break from the “news” too.
Jan, I agree. I have taken a little break from watching the news. Especially before bed. Thanks for having a look at these!
WOW! What a difference a brush makes! I love the looseness of the second version.
Cathy, thank you!!
This is beautiful, Shari, and it’s really helpful getting insight into how your achieved the different effects.
Thanks so much Trina!
I like the first one better
HI Another Jan.
It’s really interesting to see what people react too. It’s a very divided group.
Thanks for having a look!!
Shari
Definitely like the second one better. Cool brush! Cyclamen’s are tricky. For me, roses are even harder to paint. Need a workshop on painting roses and cyclamens.
Maureen, I will be working on some flower demos and I will keep that in mind! Thanks for having a look.
Love your first version. Bold and beautiful
Thanks so much Pat!
Both versions have their own special beauty but I find myself more attracted to the first version. I guess I like the graphic quality and “weight” of it. Love your work.
Vivian, thank you!!
The second one has more gestural brushwork and you’ve replaced the pen line with colored brush line. Like.
Sue Anne, thank for having a look!
Delightfully realized, as always. Happiness in the dark days, my dear!
Ashley, we have to keep things happy!! Hope you are well!!
Both pieces are beautiful; however, I like the one with the dark background a bit better.
Thank you Beste!!
You are a harsh critic for yourself, Shari. I think these are both beautiful. Cyclamen is such a lovely plant. I do like the drama of the first painting, though, but your description of ‘dancing movement of the petals’ has me smiling at the second one.
Lois, that is true. I am a harsh critic. Sometimes I react in the moment and a few days later I wonder why I was so hard on myself. But it’s nice to read everyone’s comments here.
Wow!!! I LOVE it!!!!
Thanks Lori!!
Shari, the first one is stunning. The plant is “popping” off the page. Your 2nd one is a beautiful rendition. I don’t see rust anywhere. Thanks for sharing your artistic journey. Y
De, thank you for having a look!!
Ditto for the above. I really like the first one. It’s very striking…dramatic. Thanks for sharing both. I understand when you have an idea of what the painting should look like, but since we don’t have that in mind, we are able to enjoy the drama of the first one.
Peggy, it’s so nice to hear from you! I agree with what you said about having an idea of what it should look like. But I also appreciate all of the thoughtful comments here.
Love both painting. And the first one I love how it’s emerging from the dark. In the second, I appreciate every brushstroke and change of color. It’s so beautiful
Thanks so much for having a look at both of these!
Both are beautiful. I agree the second one is more delicate and juicy. Thank you for the nice treat! You are never rusty with flowers! Cheers
Susie, thank you so much!!
Wow! This beauty inspired lots of comments! I’m with the crowd agreeing that both are lovely❤️ if I had to choose, I’d take the flowers from the second attempt, but I like the leaves from the first-love the “pinkish” shadows in them.
Denise
Denise, I love reading all of these comments, yours included. Thanks so much!
The first painting has a wonderful triad of colors, and the darker background makes the red/pink flowers stand out. The second painting does not have that effect. Stop being so hard on yourself.
Dennis, your comment made me laugh. It’s true that we are always our own worst critics. It’s been great to read all the comments here. A very divided group.
Thank for sharing! I would be happy to be able to do both but as the teacher says “always do a value study first” … 😊
HI Bunny,
Yes, always do a value study first. So true!!
Hope all is well.
Shari
both are gorgeous, I prefer the second one, because of the contrast.
Rita, thanks for having a look!!
Wow! Quite a response to this. Thanks for showing the two versions. It’s really instructive.
I know. A very divided group, which is so interesting to see!!
Both versions are really nice. It is hard to pick a favorite. I wouldn’t turn down either.
Joan, thanks for having a look!!
It’s great to see the 2 options. I like the lightness of your 2nd drawing. The dark background looks much heavier. Viewing both, as an aspiring artist, helps me to think and consider the different approaches. Thanks for sharing this Shari.
Mary, I’m glad this was helpful. It’s been very instructive for me to read all the responses!!
I love pink and the free style of painting flowers.