MORNING GLORIES

 I love this flower so will be teaching this project at Anne Arundel Community College this week. Here is a step by step description of how it is done.  Notice the yellow leads the viewer in diagonally across the picture.

This is the second step. Painting the flowers wet on wet . This is direct (positive)  painting.

This is the first step. I painted the background  wet on wet with three primary colors. I used Permanent Yellow, Permanent Rose, and Cobalt Blue. I left the paper dry around the flowers. 

Morning Glory Project

I love this type of design with a central window. The colors are limited which is the very best way to go. I am playing  with two opposite colors - blue and orange.  Notice the negative painting outside the window in the border area. This negative painting technique creates the mystery.

I am teaching a variety of unusual designs just like this at  Maryland Hall for the Arts, here in Annapolis Maryland on May 12 and 19.

Watercolor on Yupo Paper

I was introduced to Yupo paper when I was a new painter and I hated it. Now that I am experienced with the medium I have re-discovered this unusual paper.  Yupo is synthetic paper. The paint is not absorbed by the paper, but instead sits on the surface.  It helps to use less water when you begin to experiment. with it.   

This hibiscus was so much fun. It almost painted itself. The background was easy but the shadows on the flower were hard to control.

Kent Island Art Association-negative Painting Class

Here are some of the great pictures from the Kent Island Art Association Class on Monday.  I hope that this taste of negative painting will be helpful to everyone that attended and add a spark of mystery to paintings yet to be created!  The  house above is the art center. It is located in Stevensville, Maryland --over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Go to http://www.kifaevents.org for information on classes.

Georgette is an acrylic painter and was able to do a beautiful job with the  project in watercolor.  See our fall leaves above.

This is me explaining the importance of the under painting. This is the foundation of a great negative design.

This is a close up of the first layer underway. Many negative paintings are built up with many transparent layers  of paint. Understanding color is very important.

Jane's Color Clock Secret For Artists

 I have put my popular color theory  into a small book. I am dedicating it to my students who have asked me for this for years. If you have struggled with color, this book will  show  you how to look at color differently.

If you click the link below the book it will take you to Blurb.com and you can order your own copy.

Hibiscus To The Point

If you like this painting you will love my workshop at Maryland Hall in Annapolis. Maryland May 12 and 19 called  Painting Outside The Lines  with a Focus on Design. You can sign up by going to www.marylandhall.org

This is a tricky painting. Notice the change from positive painting to negative painting in the blue triangles. If you let you attention slip you'll lose your place.   I love this type of painting because it is almost like solving a puzzle.