Until I saw an actual live Bird of Paradise flower blooming in Maui, I had no idea why people thought they were so neat. WHEW! The striking vibrant colors and unique flower structure are breathtaking for sure. Any time a watercolor painting calls for vibrant color, I consider YUPO paper first. Although I can easily lift paint on YUPO, even after it's dry, I often choose to miskit areas that are to remain a pure white or pure light color. Here, the warm yellow and orange areas were miskited first before I applied liberal amounts of juicy blues and greens for the background. Even the edges of some of the foreground leaves were miskited to help maintain sharpness and clarity. Once the color was on and allowed to flow, I added darks into areas by charging them in rather than brushing them over the area.
The more I can get the paints to move together on their own without help from a brush, the fresher the YUPO painting looks. This also helps encourage the possibility of spontaneous accidents that can add great life and excitement to a picture. I suppose that the hardest part of painting on YUPO for me is to keep my brush out of the paint as much as possible.
If you're a watercolorist and have not yet tried YUPO 'paper,' make it your resolution to give it a try soon. If the painting doesn't work like you hoped, wash off the paint and go again and again and again.
"PARADISE" Transparent Watercolor on Heavyweight YUPO, approx. 17 x 13" SOLD
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8 comments:
What really makes this painting is not the bright flower, although it's beautiful. It's the darks - luscious, deep, rich, textured, yummy darks!!
Hi Sandy, I found your blog through your comment on Suzanne's, and I'm so glad I did! This is wonderful! I had a bird-of-paradise in my backyard when I lived in South Texas, and you captured it so beautifully. I also appreciate your notes on the process of your painting - I've never tried Yupo, but now I'm inspired to give it a go... thanks!
Mineke.
You crafted a fine jewel, Sandy, and nestled it sumptuously. Yupo is a great surface for florals, giving you the vibrant color no paper can match, and creating a texture that looks more like nature and less like a paint brush.
You rule on this stuff!!
Thanks, Nick. I really appreciate your taking the time to check out what's new. And THANK YOU so much for your educational and entertaining look at life. I love your blogs.
And thank you Rhonda - you who also do YUPO so very well. Can't wait to see your next painting.
Mineke, I know that most of the mail order places carry YUPO, so get started. I checked out your excellent work. WOW! Can't wait to see some of those roof tops on YUPO. Gouache works too on it. ENJOY!
This is fabulous, Sandy! The Bird of Paradise really looks like a bird! Like a bird giving thanks to god. It also looks like a sea creature in the depths of the dark blue.
When I lived in LA and Florida, I was too used to thses plants. You've really brought it alive with wonder.
Hi Sandy,
You have taken yupo to a new height. Your bird of paradise is so dramatic! Thank you for sharing and the process!
I am so pleased that I have at last visited your blog. I 'found' your name on Nick's blog.
You are making beautiful art and I am most interested in your innovative techniques.
I will be a frequent visitor from now on.
All my congratulations for your realizations ! Greetings from Paris
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