In this chapter, I invite you to join me in painting the vibrant and delicate beauty of petunias. As we delve into this third lesson of our floral series, you'll discover the joy of capturing the essence of these lovely flowers on canvas. Together, we'll explore the art of building a textural background that enhances the natural grace of the petunias. You'll learn how to premix greys to create depth and subtlety in your work, and we'll focus on painting with shapes to bring clarity and structure to your composition. Edges will become your tool for directing the viewer's eye and adding emphasis where it's needed most. This intensive study is not just about mastering the technical aspects of painting; it's also a journey of self-discovery as an artist. By the end of this chapter, you'll have gained valuable insights into your own creative process and a deeper appreciation for the art of painting flowers. Let's enjoy this rewarding subject together and see where our brushes take us.
Step 3Background preparation
Select Brushes
Start with large natural bristle brushes for broad strokes, then switch to medium-sized synthetic brushes for intermediate details, and finish with smaller brushes for fine details. This progression helps manage different levels of detail effectively.
Create Loose Background
Begin with a loose background, especially towards the bottom of the painting. This approach emphasizes the major shapes of the flowers and keeps the background less detailed to highlight the beauty of the flower shapes.
Adjust Background Color
If the initial background color is too intense, gray it down to better complement the detailed study of the flowers. Achieve this by applying a thin wash of oils over the acrylic background.
Apply Thin Oil Wash
Use oils to apply a thin wash over the acrylic background. This technique grays down the background color and creates a more harmonious composition.
Summary & key takeaways
Begin your painting journey by focusing on the beauty of the petunias themselves. Zoom in on the flowers to create a composition that emphasizes their elegance, reminiscent of a Japanese or Oriental style. Prepare your canvas with a balanced tone and a textured background to set the stage for your floral study.
As you progress, use a variety of brushes to manage different levels of detail, starting with broad strokes and moving to finer details. Mix greys and greens thoughtfully to capture the subtle hues of the petunias, and be mindful of the temperature and intensity of your colors to maintain harmony in your composition.
In the final stages, refine your highlights and edges with precision, using cool tones to reflect natural light. Make careful adjustments to colors and edges to enhance realism and depth. Remember to maintain focus on the main elements, ensuring that your petunias stand out against a well-balanced background.
Points to remember
- Zoom in and crop out distractions to emphasize the beauty of the flowers.
- Add a bit of blue to your tone mix if it appears too rich, achieving a warm mid-grey.
- Use a thin wash of oils over acrylic to adjust the background color intensity.
- Squint at your subject to better see large shapes and focus on composition.
- Use the very tip of a crisp brush to achieve precise edges on the petunias.
- Mix cool colors into white to create realistic highlights on white objects.
- Use a clean brush with a little solvent to create crisp edges when the background is dry.
- Clean your brush after every stroke when softening background edges to maintain the effect.
