How I paint my 'Dancing tulips' in oil

How to paint pink tulips in oil

Flower is one of my favorite subject to paint. For me, Flower is a subject that almost everyone can enjoy. Artworks that feature flower is a very easy kind of art to perceive and does not need any art background to appreciate the beauty of flowers.
And today, I want to share with you how I paint my Dancing tulips using oil paint. These lovely pink tulips were calling me to paint them when I saw the photograph of them (Yes, I paint from a photograph). So Let's start!

Material I use

1. Pre-stretched canvas 60x90 cm. (my favorite size)
2. White Gesso for priming the canvas
3. 2B graphite pencil for drawing
4. Oil paint. I use Art Spectrum (Crimson, Sap green, Ochre, Burnt sienna, Burnt umber, Viridian green and Ivory black) and Daler Rowney (Rose madder)
5. Winsor & Newton Liquin impasto for glazing
6. Oil paint brushes. (I use various sizes and material(Hog hair/Synthetic)
7. The reference photo

Method

1. As usual, I start by priming my canvas with gesso for 2 coats. Then I transfer the image from my reference photo to the canvas using grid method. This method helps me to get the right proportion of the flower on the canvas. I don't normally copy exactly the same as the reference. I always add some of my own creativity into the image to make the composition looks more interesting.

2. I start blocking in the background with a thin black paint and some green where all the leaves are. Then I apply all the cast shadows on each flower with the same paint that I use for the background and let dry. This technique helps when I paint another layer on the flower so I will get a soft and subtle cast shadow on the flower straight way without trying to paint it later on.

3. I decide to apply a second layer on the background. Just to make the flower which is the main subject more stand out. Make it easier to paint the flowers. Especially on the light petals. 

4. Now, I start painting on the first flower. I work on it section by section, petal by petal, bit by bit.

5. As the flower is quite bright and most of the petals are white with a hint of pink so it does not require many layers. I decide to work on the details of the flower straight away as I move along. 

To achieve soft edge finish of each petal, I use a soft dry round brush (size 2) to glide over the edges until I get the soft edge that I am happy with. 

6. And I move on to the second flower.

7. And the last one.

8. Once I completed all the flower, I let the painting dry for a week and come back to see what it needs to make the painting looks more complete. I can see that it needs a darker tone on some areas and the petals look too lolly pink.

9. I apply the darker tone using a glazing technique (A transparent layer of paint applies over a dried layer).  And for the flowers that are too pink, I use the same technique with Yellow ochre and Crimson to glaze over the pink area. And here is the finished painting.

And this is a slideshow video of the whole process.

I hope you enjoy and please feel free to leave comments.
Thank you.

See more of my painting at 
http://www.facebook.com/NJ.FineArts

Or visit my Youtube channel : Natasha Junmanee







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