Wednesday, April 22, 2009

April Virtual Sketch Date


5x5 inches, acrylic on canvas

Here is my entry for the April Virtual Sketch Date challenge http://virtualsketchdate.blogspot.com/.  I thought about trying one more collage, but had had the urge to paint.  My first thought was to try the oils I bought but have not used, but I wanted to get this done and dry quickly.  A few months ago I bought little five inch square canvases to try, so one was enlisted for this project.

The original photograph of this rhododendron bud was provided by Jeanette Jobson. I cropped it and tried to simplify the image.  My colors are a bit darker and more intense than the original, and I was doing some guessing because I don't have rhododendrons in my yard.  I don't know this flower very well, and people who do may notice things that aren't quite right.  Still, it was fun to paint, especially since it's Earth Day. 

I enjoy doing these challenges because they persuade me to paint or sketch subjects I might not ordinarily try, and there is a time limit, so I can't procrastinate.    I also really enjoy looking at other artists' responses.

20 comments:

JoAnn said...

Sherry, I love it...just beautiful. I like it more than the photo....it is more vibrant.

L,J

laura said...

Fantastic, Sherry--the light on the bud is great, but I especially love how the light leaves stand out, and their sheen! Just beautiful!

Margaret Ann said...

This is smashing! What gorgeous color...at first I thought it was a pastel...Lovely work!

Happy Earth Day! :)

joanieART said...

Love the vibrancy of your palette. Really dramatic painting. I agree, these challenges challenge me to try new things.

Debbie Later said...

This is so pretty. I love your bold colors!

Teri said...

I love the intense colors! It looks beautiful!

Paulette said...

Nice work, looks like it was fun to paint.

Claudia said...

Sherry, this is wonderful! The colors are so good!

christine said...

This is really lovely. And when I clicked on the image to see the larger version, Wow! The colors practically vibrated off the canvas! Wonderful job!

Christine said...

Sherry, your flowers are lovely! I'm glad you chose paint. The colors in the brushstrokes are vibrating off each other nicely and jump right off the page! Wonderful job!

Ann said...

This is gorgeous! I think your color choices are perfect, those greens and purples go so well together!

Carol said...

I agree! Vibrant & beautiful!

Sharon said...

The deep, rich colors really draw the viewer in. Gorgeous, Sherry!

Jeanette Jobson said...

This looks lush and rich both the bud and the background. I've never seen my garden look so good! :)

Lori said...

Your painting is lovely with the vivid colours and the light. It makes me feel like leaning down to smell the flowers.
Thanks for you comment on my work.

MILLY said...

Your painting is really lovely, especially as it is only 5 inches square, you put so much colour and detail in such a small painting.

M J Muir said...

Late bloomer
I do so like the way you have used the purples and violets with the greens. A painting most pleasing to the eyes.
Mary Jane / bluelilac

Jennifer Rose said...

I really like this :) very nice range of textures to it and nice highlights to the buds :)

SYLVIANE said...

Beautiful!
It's the one I prefer.

Jennifer Lawson said...

Wow, Sherry, this is beautiful. I somehow missed this until, today. I guess I got lost in my own little world over here. Anyway, sangat bagus!!!