Monday, February 09, 2009

Satin and Lace in Sepia

This is one of the February projects for the Watercolor Workshop; to paint, in sepia, from the same photograph. When I first saw this photo I thought "oh no, not me" but I studied it and, since I love painting in sepia, I decided to give it a try. What made it do-able was the fact that is is just a collection of value shifts and shadow shapes, so it really wasn't as complicated as first thought. I do like the old look to this and hope that someone who is a seamstress will be attracted to it for purchase. I used to sew constantly, but once I started painting that got pushed aside and, finally, put to rest permanently! I am still drawn to piles of laces and satin ribbons, though!

The other February project is to paint anything in sepia, so I have drawn a cliff dwelling we visited outside of Silver City, NM a few years ago. It is good to be painting again more regularly.

7 comments:

Vicki Greene said...

Oh wow! This is beautiful. I only hope that I can do half as well on this project.

RH Carpenter said...

Wow is right!!!

Artmaker - Cecilia Price said...

Oh MY! I didn't see this one somehow! Fantastic!
Cia

Watercolors by Susan Roper said...

Thanks, Ladies! I am rather proud of myself for even completing this complicated painting. I like the value shifts, most of all.

Michelle Himes said...

Wow! This is super, Susan! You did such a great job on the lace and the values in this painting that I don't even miss the color. :-)

Unknown said...

This is gorgeous! I never would have thought to paint all the purples and whites of the reference in sepia (I'm pretty sure it's a photo I put in the WC reference image library a few years ago) Can you tell me more about watercolour workshop?

Watercolors by Susan Roper said...

Ruth, Thanks for joining followers of my blog! I looked at your blog and you have a lovely touch with your watercolors, very clean and fluid.

Regarding Watercolor Workshop, it is an online critique group started over nine years ago by a wonderful artist, Susie Short (susieshort.com). I have been a member since very near the beginning of the group. It is comprised of over 1,000 members worldwide, and the skill level goes from very beginning watercolorists to very advanced watercolorists.

I am sure you recognized the photo from WC as the leader of the monthly project said she chose it from there. The theme for the month was to do this painting in sepia or at least a monochrome. I love painting in sepia so I chose that color. You can link to this group through Susie's website; consider joining us, we are a great group of painting friends!