Golden Rose-Finished!

"Golden Rose"

8"x10" Oil on Canvas

And here is the completed "Golden Rose."  Because the paint is still wet on this one, I had a hard time getting a good picture without getting a terrific glare.  

In this stage I performed something like an optical illusion I learned from the famous Dutch painter Vermeer.  I had some difficulty making the blue wall, (or whatever it is) behind the rose look realistic in the earlier stages.  I was afraid some may think it is supposed to be a sky.  So taking a cue from Vermeer, I "wrapped" the negative space by making some parts darker and some parts lighter thus creating a 3-D effect.  I even darkened the top left corner on the grey part of the wall.  This gives the appearance as if the rose is glowing.  

Also, although it looks a bit cheesy, I tried to paint some water drops on a couple of the leaves, (see if you can find them!).  This was my first attempt...I need to work on it!

Golden Rose-Color Stage 4

Golden Rose-Color Stage 3

Another layer of color.  At this point, I'm just piling on the paint.  You may as well call me Robert Ross, Jr.!  This one's going in the toilet.... literally, I think I'm going to put it in the bathroom when I'm done!

Golden Rose-Color Stage 2

I've glazed another layer of color onto the rose.  That blue background is not the sky but a "blue" painted wall.  I'm putting the paint on too thickly and thereby basically abandoning the Classical Method of building colors through translucent glazing.  It's frustrating.  Another color layer and then details and I'm done.

Golden Rose-Color Stage 1

Golden Rose-Dead Layer Stage 1

As you can see from my work in progress, I painted right over the Burnt Umber stage.   I looked at my black and white picture printed from my lazer jet printer.  (I know you mighta' thought I painted this from my imagination...nope!)

To get the dead layer I mixed Ivory Black with Prussian Blue, Yellow Ochre, and Burnt Umber for what is known as an "optical black,"  (which is not really black, but more of a really dark blue).  I mixed an equal amount of Titanium White, with Flake White.  I then mixed these two combinations together on my palatte.  I painted darkest areas first, then light and then mid-tones and blended it with a "dry" brush.  

For the record, I do not like the composition of this picture.

Golden Rose-Burnt Umber Stage 2

Oops! I discovered I had the picture turned the wrong way in my previous post. This is the right way; The sun shines down onto the flower.

I worked on details on this 2nd stage of burnt umber. This is only one color painted over top of the imprimatura, (which was an olive green color). What you see here will be covered by several more layers of paint. It may seem pointless, but I'm working out the problems early on. Actually, a painting like this is all about working out the problems until it looks like what I want it to look like.

The painting was not fully dry, so I had a bit of difficulty, making things look smooth where I wanted it to look smooth. It will have to dry thoroughly before I move onto the next phase.

I'm not happy with how dark I painted the shadow in the flower petals. It's a bit too contrasty for my liking. However, I believe I can fix it on the "dead layer" which will be the next phase. In the "dead layer," I'm supposed to get an effect like moonlight. We'll see.

Golden Rose-Burnt Umber Stage 1

In this early stage I'm only establishing shadows with Burnt Umber.  I hope to work on more details in the next layer.  This is terrific fun!

Golden Rose-Imprimatura Stage

I drew this out several weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to painting it.  It's going to be a golden, (orange) rose with a blue background.  I do not like the composition of this painting, but it's an experiment.