Saturday, July 10, 2010

Strawberry, anyone?

Today, I painted this small  5" X 7" watercolor painting in preparation for my show in two weeks. I would like to paint a few more on the same theme: the next one with two strawberries, then one with three etc.
The picture was taken inside with a flash unfortunately.


I always love to read your comments and suggestions.

22 comments:

  1. I like that nice rich, clear red and you did a wonderful job on the seed. Great job!

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  2. Well done. I like the way the berry is pushing out against the side and the shadow does the same on the opposite side, creating a bit of tension. It's probably tense because it knows it's going to become jam!

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  3. Thank you, Vicki! Painting those seeds is probably enough to make someone go blind...but they are still fun to paint!

    Rhonda, you made me laugh! I should simply smear red paint over the paper and call the painting " The strawberry...a few hours later". That would be much easier to paint:-)

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  4. Lovely little painting!

    As lovely as it is, is it wise to put all your show eggs in the strawberry basket? It might limit your buying public somewhat.

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  5. Thank you, Pat.
    For the show, I may bring over 20 paintings and so far I have only 2 strawberry paintings. I may also have one or two small florals in the same price range. The rest will be larger and more expensive. The public who wants to buy will have a fairly good variety:-)

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  6. Christiane I really like these strawberries. I like the way the light hits it. What reds did you use to create such a wonderful color. Good luck with your show.

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  7. Christiane this is excellent, nice job!

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  8. Thank you, Nora. This is from one of my own pictures. |I have just finished taking about 50 more pictures of strawberries...I am starting to know what I want re. their shadows, the light reflection etc.
    For the reds, I mixed as I went in various ratios: Scarlet Lake (Holbein), cadmium red light (Holbein); to these I added a hint of gamboge where I wanted a warmer glow and alizarin crimson where I wanted a darker color.

    I am not too hopeful about the show since I have seen very little publicity for it; it is in its second year and is not yet well established. I will send out as many invitations as I can however. Nevertheless, my booth will be beside the one of a good friend, and we both intend to have a great weekend, sales or no sales:-)

    Krista, your support means a lot to me.

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  9. Gorgeous, juicy strawberry! Wonderful detail (and you know how I like detail). Can't wait to see more.

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  10. Susan, thank you. Have you tried strawberries in colored pencil...they would go really well with your beautiful plums.

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  11. Great idea for a series - will you work up to a basketful?? Great illustration.

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  12. Joan, I think that this theme can be part of my artistic development plan over the next few months: I would like to teach myself to paint baskets, porcelain, glass, crystal, silver ...berries can be combined with all of these.
    However, I have more humble plans for the show in less than two weeks:-). Thank you again for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Your support is much appreciated.

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  13. Christiane your work is incredible. Keep posting.

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  14. Asit, your are too kind, but I certainly hope that you will visit often!

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  15. Great idea - increasing the number with each painting - also a great painting! Love it - especially the rich color and the wonderful reflections.

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  16. Thank you, Barb. Now, all I have to do is find the time to paint:-)

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  17. Christiane, first let me say I am delighted with the recognition you continue to get for your work. Well deserved. Congratulations on your upcoming show -- I believe it's good to have a variety of price ranges. Sometimes people surprise you and buy the larger, more expensive paintings. Other times, I am happy to see someone take home a small work -- I am hopeful they will return another time and buy again. Thus, this luscious strawberry picture and a few more would be nice to feature at the show, along with some of your larger works.

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  18. Mary, it is so good to have you back!
    Thank you for the nice comment. I have not seen much publicity for the show...so I am still keeping my fingers crossed for a good turn-out. I have more than enough larger works, so, as you recommend, I am now trying to finish a few small ones to have for the show.

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  19. It looks good enough to eat. Good luck on your upcoming show.

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  20. Thank you very much, Gary. I ate half a basket of these strawberries as I was taking pictures of them for future paintings:-)

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  21. Hi Christiane, nice strawberry anatomy here, it's perfect and the composition (fruit+shadow) is gorgeous.

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  22. Fabio, how nice of you to take the time to stop by and leave such a nice comment. Thank you!

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