LESSON #10 - Painting Magnolias

[Helenty]

Well i have finished my Magnolias ,i am happy with the flowers but not so much the background, will have to keep practicing.

[dennis]

Very well executed indeed  Just missing the highlights on the stamens though.
I'm not too concerned with the background as it does not detract from the flowers. I just want to see if the techniques have been applied properly. It seem that I have a lot of top class students already 

[Martina]

  very much Dennis for your suggestion! I think I will try a dark green background.

[Martina]

Helen, your magnolias look very nice! Well done!   
I like the background, nice wet in wet with soft edges 

[Val]

Gorgeous. That's it Helen...that's all you get!     
Excellent work. 

[Val]

I know what you mean C.   I used to travel down to work on a number of boats around DC and have been fortunate enough to arrive at times at the height of the cherry blossoms. Indescribable! I think I lost those early pics when my computer died last year. Mother nature has ways of playing tricks on us...I've seen tourists come just to see them and they would either bloom early or late...its a challenge! 

[C.Bodine]

Helen, your magnolias look really good! I like seeing variety in our paintings.  My background wasn't purple like Dennis's painting. Much bluer!

[Tousabella]

Dennis...I've put the magnolia on a  9 X 12 w/c pad as it's the only one I have that is 140#. Should I attempt to do it the way you did on the lesson, or, is it a better idea to masking fluid the flower to do the background as the background is much smaller  inside the flower ? The bigger paper I have, 11 X 15 is only 90# and with that much water it really curls. I am looking forward to the painting and I'm awaiting the proper paper and weight to arrive at the stationery store.
Now that I have the picture drawn on and the making tape on it....it reeeeeely looks small!!  LOL  Big enough for a nice pic, but.........!!
Thanks for your input, and for all who reply to my dilemma!

[dennis]

The size I chose for the lessons was a convenient size only - no more no less. Any bigger will be an uncomfortable size for all the weekly lessons. This size was also chosen to enable me to finish a demo within the time span for the day. At times I will use a larger format to demonstrate certain techniques or subjects. Occasionally I will split a lesson into 2 or more parts if I need to really show you special techniques.

It is not absolutely necessary to use the masking tape either - it just makes it look more professional when displaying unframed.

If you want to paint smaller - no problem - just reduce the size of the template until it is the size you want it to be. If you are unable to do it yourself then someone will be able to do it for you on a photocopier.

Another thing - I did not use the masking fluid here just to show that you can still do good paintings without its use - you just have to be careful with the lines and not to lose the whites of the paper.

[Tousabella]

Thanks Dennis. I did reduce the size to fit, and that's why it's so small inside the flower to "tap" in the background. I'll give 'er a whirl...if it doesn't work...I'll try one with the fluid. (Yeah..I need the masking tape around the outside....Looks sooooo much neater and finished.)

[NHC50]

Details

Well here is my magnolia. I forgot my highlights in some areas. But it was fun. Will have to do this again.
Thanks Dennis.
I even put it in the right forum.   
Nina

[NHC50]

Tousabella,
I use the 9x12. I do not reduce them. Plus I do not waste watercolor paper. I think they look fine. I also buy the matte frames at hobby lobby to put around my paintings. that way I don't have to mess with frames, but still see what they look like framed out. They are not very expensive. And they make your paintings stand out. So you can really see the mistakes. 
No when I get real good  at this watercolor painting then I will go to bigger sizes.
Nina

[dennis]

You're getting good already  Well done. You have the nice 3D effect of the petals and the background does not detract from the painting.

[NHC50]

Thanks Dennis I appreciate you.
Nina

[Val]

Good work Nina  Looks lovely.