I can't show you my desk today because there's quite literally nothing on it.
It's still clear due to being away over the holiday weekend.
So instead I'll show you how it looked last Wednesday... before we went away.
When my anthurium plant lost a flower I just couldn't let it go because even though it had died and turned brown, it was still incredibly beautiful.
The details and colour needed me to have a go at painting it.
Does that ever happen to you... something shouts "paint me"?
I hope you're noticing the glorious sunshine flooding through the window. It was so much so that I nearly (...I say 'nearly'...) had to shut it out by pulling the blind down.
What madness... fancy me shutting out the sun.... never!
I was really quite happy at this stage of the painting, but as usual I had to carry on and I spoil it.
I like the subject just floating on the page but I thought I'd try the shadow.
I am hopeless at drawing shadows, so if anyone has any tips then I'd love to hear from you.
As you can see my usual companion wasn't in the least bit interested in shadows... she's more of a sun worshiper following it around the house.
Other than her snoring... I can't say she distracted me which led me to ruin the painting.
It was all my own work!
She was content to roast away in snoozeyland.
Well that's it for this week WOYWWer's.
If you'd like to see lots more then click here to be transported to Julia's Stamping Ground blog to meet the merry gang.
Or maybe you'd like to join Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday
Or maybe you'd like to join Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday
They'd all love to see you.
Have fun this week and I hope to see you soon
Amazing painting, happy woyww BJ#35
ReplyDeleteThanks BJ... I forgot to add the finished painting. I've done it now.
DeleteWhat a numpty. I blame the brilliant weekend I had... my brain is still on holiday!
Happy WOYWW to you too
Lovely painting and your little dog is a cutie. Happy WOYWW!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your lovely comment.
DeleteYeah that little cutie dog gets in everywhere ^..^
Happy WOYWW to you
Fabulous photos, love your paintings. And of course you companion is just adorable! Take care Zo xx 53
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Zo,
DeleteYeah there's no show without Punch! ^..^
Have fun desk hopping... happy WOYWW to you
Hi Neesie! Lovely painting and of course such a snoring companion is priceless! I can understand your struggle with shadows, that is not easy. I always use a veeeery soft pencil - like 9B - start at the rim of the drawing very dark and smear it with one of those paper rolls (I don´t know what you call them) to lighten it up as much as I want.
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW!
Hugs
Gabriele 15
Hi Gabriele,
DeleteI do complain at times about her but she is priceless and I'd be so lost without her. Now why didn't I think to use a pencil for the shadows???
I'd have had no problem with that... it's just using watercolours that seems to give me trouble. I'll be certain to remember your tip next time I try to add a shadow.
Thanks so much for your comment and advice.
Happy WOYWW to you
what a beautiful plant and you paintings is wonderful! I love your painting pal,,even if she snores,,lol
ReplyDeleteWell what a beautiful new avatar Laurie, lovely smile ;D
DeleteHer snores seem to be getting louder these days. In fact the other night we had to put the sound up on the tv because of it.
Enjoy your Wednesday and I'll be across for a visit soon
Gorgeous painting. My girl dog is the same and don't you dare shut the sun out or else!
ReplyDeleteHave a great woyww and happy crafting, Angela x 23
Thanks so much Angela,
DeleteIt's amazing how these little pooches get their message across isn't it?
I hope you have a great crafting week... enjoy desk hopping.
Happy WOYWW to you and your girl dog ^..^
Such a lovely view from your window, sometimes living here in Spain you really have to sun out the sun although I hate to do it.
ReplyDeleteI love your painting but I very often spoil things by taking things one step too far.
Jan S. No 40
I have to admit Jan we all love the from all of our windows here. We're very lucky.
DeleteI just wish it could be a little warmer. It's difficult at times after living in the Middle East and Australia but we're managing.
I can imagine you having to have shade there in sunning Spain. Maybe you could just share a little with us? Just a thought!
Have a great WOYWW... enjoy.
Shadows and light sources are the worst for me. I'm content with "floating in space" as it were. Perhaps someone else has some tips for you. Your painting is lovely and you got the colors spot on! Judy #60
ReplyDeleteSnap Judy... but I think shadow's cause me the most trouble,
DeleteHopefully one day I'll conquer them. I won't rest until I do... although I have to say I do like the clean 'floating in space' more.
Thanks for popping over to my place.
Enjoy your weekend... Happy WOYWW to you
No Neesie, nothing ever shouts 'paint me' to me..it all knows better! Lovely lovely repro of the flower and the shadow..well you could change nature by just hinting at it in a shape that pleases you and follows the flower vaguely..or do it in a light blue wash...
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the sun..and it does feel like a sin to turn your back to it!
Hehe... Well they shout to me Julia but I should know better than to try!
DeleteI really try too hard to reproduce the item instead of capturing it's essence. Note to self... lighten up sweetie!
The sun's here today and I'm off outside to make the most of it.
Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for your visit. It's great having you pop in.
Things shout 'paint me' to my poor addled brain all the time! In fact they never shut up :P Ahhh the voices in my headdddd. But seriously, I do see things all the time with my artist eyes and could never even paint 1/4 of the ideas I get while running about with real life. I love your painting and the shadow is fine. Shel @ paperocotillostudio #54
ReplyDeleteHehe... thanks for making me giggle Shel,
DeleteI think our artist eye has a lot to answer for don't you?... although having said that, I wouldn't want to be without it!
Have a great weekend with or without the voices... enjoy!
Neesie it is glorious... I absolutely love those rich golden colours and tones... Something about them just feels perfect doesn't it... And mufty perched on there makes me miss my own little snoring desk companion so give her a huge squeeze from me...xx
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Trace, it means a lot to hear you say that,
DeleteI couldn't believe how the dried flower had changed so much from the vibrant red (slightly falic looking) flower. I was going to have another try at painting it but alas by the time I'd got my act together it had gone beyond... really dead!!!
Oh how I miss Mushu too, even with being all the way over here. I do really make the most of having Mufty here and think of Mushu when I'm cuddling her.
Have a wonderful weekend my friend... enjoy!
Lovely painting, Nessie! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletehttp://agagasiniak.blogspot.co.uk
It was my pleasure Aga,
DeleteHave a great weekend ;D
Beautiful work, happy PPF. Your desk was tidy because you were away over the weekend? You cleaned it before you went? WOW! Valerie
ReplyDeleteGuilty Valerie-Jael,
DeleteI always tidy and clean everything before I go away. That way I have a lovely surprise when I return.
Enjoy your weekend and thanks for your comment ;D
Neesie it's lovely and I don't think you've spoilt it with the shadow at all. I know what you mean about the sun - when it shines in our dining room where I paint it reflects off the glass topped table and I end up having to close the blinds which is crazy when we so rarely see the sun!! I love that Mufty sleeps right on top of your desk - super cute!
ReplyDeleteAww bless you Nic,
DeleteI think if I'd have used better quality paper instead of my journal page, then it might have been a little better.
Well the sun's shining brightly this morning so I'm rushing to get out there to enjoy it.
Mufty is never very far from me... no matter what I'm doing! ^..^
Enjoy your weekend and let's hope that the sunshine continues to shine on us both.
Oh so gorgeous my dear! Love the rich colours and the stems shadow is perfect... I wish there were more classes on shadows myself! Love the pup at your side...I miss that at times! They are such loving companions! Glad to see you have sun much like we do right now!! Almost time to plant the annuals!
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
Have I ever told you Giggles that I love you the bestest!!!! ;D (hehe)
DeleteThanks for such a lovely comment... and as for Muffy I'm aware of so many people who no longer have their furry friends by their sides so I remind myself of that fact everytime she's annoying ^..^
The garden is sprouting right before my eyes... I'm away now to cut some lines into my lawn. Ha... not quite Wimbledon but it'll do.
Hav a wonderful weekend and let's hope the sun continues to grace us with it's presence.
What a beautiful painting. So simple and elegant ~ a fine honor to Nature!
ReplyDeleteOh you have delighted me with your lovely comment
DeleteThank you so much.
Have a fantastic weekend and hopefully the sun will be shining with you, like it is here. Enjoy!
Oh my, what a stunning plant, no wonder you needed to paint it, Nessie and what a fantastic job you've done. I don't think you've spoilt it at all. We are our own worst critics aren't we?
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to see the sunshine. Like you I hate to shut it out.
Sorry for the late visit, I'm playing catch up
Hugs Lisax #18
Bless you Lisa for saying such lovely things.
DeleteI know I'm not very confident putting my art out there but I hope if I keep doing it then I'll get better.
You certainly don't need to apologise for visiting late here... I'm the world's worst.
I'd trying to play catch up too.
Have a wonderful weekend no matter what you get up to... have fun ;D
That is a great painting and I love how your family pet member is snoozing while you work.:) Great job.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and your lovely comment GlorV1,
DeleteYeah my furry friend is never far from my side no matter what I get up to.
In fact she objects if I leave her out of the loop.
Have a great weekend
Did you have a nice little holiday? I love your art buddy. What nice companion, all calm. I don't know if I could work with such a distraction. I'd be all about giving tummy rubs. Your piece is beautiful this week. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI did indeed Erika, and even though it was only a few days it felt like more due to the fact we crammed a lot into that time.
DeleteMy companion wouldn't know stress if it came up and bite her! As to distractions... well yes she can be either snoring or if she's after attention she has a little gruff that penetrate everything and anything. It's only quite but oh so powerful!
I hope you have a great weekend too.
Gorgeous flower-and illustration of it too! I have taken a few online drawing classes just to get some experience with drawing, watercolor and shadows and depth. I learned a lot and will still occasionally practice but I much prefer acrylic painting and mixed media! Oh, and YES- I have had times when I saw something that screamed "paint me" too :) Sweet pup. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteI've often thought about taking part in an online class but haven't taken the plunge yet. I've decided to go along to meet the artist and other like minded people. Maybe I should give it a go... by the sound of it it's certainly worth doing.
DeleteI'm not too sure about acrylic Linda... I don't feel in control.
My head is talking to me about tropical fish and underwater scenes for the last few days so we'll have to see if I actually get something down on paper.
I hope you're having a great weekend too.
You are so talented - would love to see more!!!!!! We have just moved and I am slowly getting settled in. Will probably not be crafting again until August or September.
ReplyDeleteI mean it - you are extremely talented and should be drawing and painting every day. I only wish I could be half as good!!
Sandy xx
I don't think you ruined it at all, it's beautiful! Love the warm colours, and the shadow makes it pop off the page beautifully. And what a sweet painting companion you have! Sounds very relaxing, and especially with that view!
ReplyDeleteThe plant is lovely, I cannot shut out the sun either. Have you tried lighting your subject to see the shadows? Blessings, Janet PPF
ReplyDelete