Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Sunlight Seeker-Rose

Close ups

Oil on 7x5 hardboard.

This is my contribution to this week's DPW Nature's Arrangement Challenge. The challenge was issued by the very accomplished artist, James Coulter .

James said: "For this challenge you'll have to go outside (yes, even if it's hot). Choose some flowers on the ground and stand from one to six feet away from them. Use only these colors: Ultra Blue, Cad Yellow Med (or Lt), Cad Rd Lt and white. Limit your painting time to one hour (don't cheat!). Using only three brush sizes (large, med and small) start with a large brush and cover the canvas with thin paint (not runny), getting most of the large, dark areas blocked in. Then work dark to light, thin to thick. Have a focal point with darker darks, lighter lights, more intense color, thicker paint and fewer sharper edges. The rest of the painting should support that area with less visual energy (softer edges, less intense colors, less contrast). Use the smallest brush only at the end and in the focal area only (last 15 minutes). Use a value scale of at least 8 to 2 (dark to light). And try not to use white to lighten unless it is a cool color (blue or purple). "

There's a lot of good advice in this challenge. I found it really tough to attempt a red flower with such a limited palette! Would have loved to have added some alizarin crimson, burnt sienna, and
quinacridone red.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

10 comments:

  1. Un challenge corsé et vous mon cher Dean, vous êtes un peintre/magicien, vous maîtrisez à la manière d'une baguette magique vos pinceaux... Vous m'avez conquise! Votre toile est superbe. Un véritable savoir faire tout comme un chef en cuisine vous excellez pour harmoniser vos couleurs.
    Gros bisous.

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  2. Fascinating work.
    It has been delightful
    to visit your gallery.
    Good Creations

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  3. Beautiful job on such a limited palette, Dean! The yellow highlights on your rose seems to make it glow.

    I'm still struggling with this very difficult challenge.

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  4. one of your best flowers! oooooo perfection!

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  5. Dean, were I rich, I'd have the largest Dean Haven collection on the planet. This is just another stunningly beautiful piece! I liked reading your challenge instructions on this one too. I suspect it would have been a fabulous learning tool for me as well. Maybe I'll still try to give it a go, though admittedly I can't really stand the thought of standing outside in the miserable heat we have here. But maybe from a photo...hmmm...

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  6. Beautiful - love the fact that you could do a rose with only 3 colors. Great job!

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  7. Lovely, just lovely. What a challenge and you did a great job with it.

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  8. You did a great job with this challenge, Dean. You painted this rose perfectly.

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  9. dean this rose .you have painted it so well,ben. just great

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  10. I love this. Great job Dean.

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