Here is the step by step of the painting in progress:
This the sketch for the painting. I always work out my design and layout with a pencil sketch and then transfer it to good watercolor paper. Watercolor is pretty unforgiving compared with oil and acrylic. I will not be able to paint over areas if I make a mistake...
Here I have started my first layers on the face, sunflower and strawberries. I start a Caucasian skin color with yellow ochre. The base layer may not indicate the main finished color, but since I use a layering process, the color adds richness to the final image.
I have started building the framework for the face with burnt sienna and the leaves on the sunflower are based in a bright yellow. I have started details in the wimple and the strawberries get another layer.
More detail in the face with her eye color and lips as well as more structure shading using a burnt umber. The strawberries are getting their shading and I have started the lime green teapot.
The sunflower is getting more depth with yellow ochre and the stem and leaves layers are started.
I work on areas around the piece to let places dry in between painted layers so the colors come up through each other instead of mixing and bleeding. I work light to dark to avoid bleeding in colors as well.
I have almost completed the detail in the face with a layer of sepia in the darkest areas. I very rarely use black. It is not on my palette at all!
Her wimple is getting more depth with burnt umber and Prussian blue and I am adding shading to the lime green part of the teapot.
I am building the final shadows along the face and wimple as well as the sunflower and teapot. The face is my interpretation of a master painting from a book, but the added objects are actually sitting on the painting or table and painted from life.
The metal top to the tea pot is starting to get some depth. Painting metal is not about using silver or gold paint, but capturing the light and shapes of color in the reflections. I don't think of 'silver' when I am painting silver metal, I think of the different shapes creating the overall object.
I have added the background sepia color to make the portrait pop. I add dark backgrounds only when I am done painting the shapes that directly touch that area to prevent any bleeding.
To finish the piece, I add the shadows around the still life objects last since they over paint areas. I also add in her blue dress and finish the reflection for the teapot.
The symbolism in this piece is about being a vessel of righteousness and power. To read the full meaning:
http://www.artbysaradb.com/html/sunflower.html
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To buy this painting "Sunflower" 11x14 watercolor on paper: $500 plus $20 shipping unframed
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