OPPOSITES ATTRACT … IF A PAINTING COULD TALK

Opposites attract … A familiar adage to most people.  In traditional color theory, opposite colors on the color wheel are complementary.  They look good together.  Red and green as in Christmas.  Purple and yellow as in LSU Tiger colors or  blue and orange as in Florida Gator colors.

I love the color Orange!  (Must have something to do with my Tennessee Vols Orange and White).  But seriously, I think orange is a very important color in a painting.  It enhances  the red shades, making the reds warmer and more vibrant.  Orange looks great with blues and greens, yellows and purples.  It plays a part in many of my paintings, especially my tailgating series.

Many of my flower paintings center around the pinks, peaches, yellows and greens.  I wanted to do a series featuring orange and a variation of the triad color theory … colors evenly spaced around the color wheel.

I chose a vivid orange, combining flowers in purpley blues and a variation of greens, especially lime green.

I thought you would like to see my painting process on this painting …”Opposites Attract”.

Step 1 … I begin with a pen and ink sketch on water color paper.

Step 2 … Get the paint on the canvas … I casually sketch and then apply paint to cover the canvas.  When it is dried I coat with a varnish to add depth.

Step 3 … Reapply paint to the entire canvas … adding texture and color.  Add another coat of varnish for richness and depth.

Step 4 … Here we go again…add paint and texture … adjusting colors and line … There may be several layers added over the next few painting sessions.

Sign and finish with a final coat of varnish!

“OPPOSITES ATTRACT”

24″x30″ Acrylic on Canvas $1,200.00

TRIAD COLOR THEORY

 

AND NOW FOR THE FINAL PART OF THE TITLE…IF A PAINTING COULD TALK…

The story behind this painting…

“Trailing Kumquats” or “If A Painting Could Talk”

22″x28″ Acrylic on Canvas. $1,100

This painting would definitely be the most expensive one in my gallery … if one’s time and effort were figured in the price.  The artist’s mental block, or writer’s block, or painter’s block … all the same thing.

I began this painting using a photo I had seen with kumquats … one of my favorite garnishes and decorating fruits at Christmas.  As mentioned earlier I love orange and thought this would make for a great painting.  I sketched, painted, varnished, and just hated it.  The colors were too orange and white.  The background was too stilted.

I placed the painting on my studio wall (as I do with all finished and unfinished works).  I stared and stared at it.  For weeks … if not months.

Every time I would begin a new painting or series, “It” was always staring back at me.

After much thought, I tried again, toning down the oranges, making the composition more pastel …. IT was bland!!!

I put IT  back on the wall.

IT remained on that wall eyeing me until I had the ah ha moment!

 I had almost finished the Opposites Attract painting.  I just knew this one would be perfect using the same triad color theory.

IT didn’t take long to invest new life into the kumquat painting … If A Painting Could Talk!

Both paintings are entered in the Amelia Island Club Art Show … March 23 and 24, 2018.

Available for sale here in art gallery … friends and family discount will apply for Art of Living Subscribers.

Come celebrate with me.  I’ll save you a seat at the table or easel.

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