Marcia's Blog

Developing the flower details and am liking the shades of orange and red, very vibrant. Background will be dark.

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I started in with the first orange layer and will develop the orchids today.

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The first layer of green is on the leaves and the rest of the orchid petals have their first yellow glaze as well. Trying to keep the painting nice and loose.

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The painting will be 18x24."  I am using my Arches 140# watercolor block. I like the smoothness of the paper. The cattleya (corsage type) orchids will be large and orange. I have started with a layer of yellow on the leaves and another shade of yellow on the flowers.

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Gave this painting a new name! 'Happy Honu' is body surfing.

It is better viewed on a larger screen than on the cell phone. On my cell phone, the photo is much too yellow.

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I have decided to have the turtle riding the wave at the top of the water rather than swimming below which is boring. Will be adding more layers of turtle color before returning to the ocean.

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I first gave the water some shape and direction. Today the turtle has its first layer of paint.  Both will end up much darker when this watercolor painting is finished.

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I have started another sea turtle and have applied masking fluid where white or light lines will be so that I don't have to be so careful in applying the paint. I am not going to put mask on the water this time around.

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My first turtle (honu in Hawaiian). I especially like the water on this one.  Nice and loose!  I will have small prints and note cards printed soon.

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Started on the turtle and impression of coral and sea vegetation. Added a little yellow green to the water on the upper right.

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Subject is a sea turtle but I am more interested in the wave action on this one so I am playing around with shades of blue to start. I have used masking liquid on a little of the white foam as well as on the markings of the turtle that I want to keep light.

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This painting is done. I added a few plumeria in the background, lightened the table and wall on the left, and added a hint of yellow to the backside of the petals. Also removed the masking fluid off the string and long needle.

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I am going to darken the hands, put shadows on the petals, touch up the background, and call it done. The table has been made horizontal instead of diagonal and I added a light source.  Based on this experience, I have ideas for different compositions in the future.

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It's taking me longer than expected to finish this one.  I know that I need to do more to the background and am moving very slowly because of indecision.  I want to keep it light and bright.

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I am pretty pleased with the hands so far.  Very different from painting the flowers only.  I decided to add an impression of white tablecloth so that we have something the lei can sit on. Darkened the shadow under the lei after adding shadows on the lower petals. It will help to get the pink stripes darker to see what to do with the background.

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I added some loose shadows under the lei and moved the string to the other end.

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First layers of hands with highlights are in. I have noticed that I have the string coming out the wrong end with the way the flowers are being strung so will be moving the masking fluid string to the other end.

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