The view from my studio
Posted: August 3, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: hydrangeas, still life, watercolour, window sill 18 CommentsWe’ve had a lot of rain over the past two days. So much that my hydrangeas are flopping over and blocking the view from my studio window. It was my intention to paint the old bottles on the window sill today, but when I saw the hydrangeas, I thought I would incorporate them into my painting. It was a bit of an odd experiment because usually things outside the window are further away and often lighter in value, or at least treated with a lighter range of values to separate inside and outside. But in this case they were right up against the glass so I incorporated lots of darks.
Painted on a quarter sheet of Saunders Waterford, CP, 140 lb, using a limited palette of Burnt Sienna, Quinacridone Gold, Payne’s Grey and Carbazole Violet. And a bit of Titanium White at the very end for highlights.
Exquisite. So beautifully painted Shari
Many thanks Irene.
This is an interesting painting to analyze and try to figure out how you did it and why it works. I love seeing how just a few simple shapes and swatches of paint read as glass bottles. Nice work!
Thanks Jean. I painted the bottles first, in case you are wondering. And then painted the plants around them, trying to incorporate a bit of the leaf colour in the transparency of the bottles.
What a very pretty view, Shari!
Big plant! Interesting color combi but most of all admire the negative painting!
It is a big plant and very beautiful. It’s right outside my kitchen window so I can admire it every day!
Thanks Lois!
This is fascinating. Did you get those greens with Quin. gold and Payne’s Grey? I never would have thought that only those few colors would give such a wide range.
HI Melissa, Yes, that is how I made the greens. I read that Andy Evanson uses that combo so I thought I’d give it a try.
Magnifique!
Merci!
Wow! I love this painting! The bottles and the lettering are just perfect!
Linda, thanks!
Love this painting! Somehow I find it very relaxing to look at❤️
Denise, I am happy to contribute to your relaxation. I hope the summer is going well!
What a wonderfully inspired choice of subject … and so beautifully and skillfully executed!
Tony, thank you. I looked at the hydrangeas today and they have all gone back to where they should be so I was very lucky to capture those few sodden hours when the weight of the water caused them to droop. Hope all is well with you!