Roses, Roses, Roses

"Garden Roses", Oil on Panel, 9"x 12"

Just in time for Valentine's Day!
These past few weeks I have been painting roses in class.  Each week I am determined to paint something else but my instructor keeps bringing in the most beautiful bouquets.  I just can't resist!  I was inspired by a fellow student to paint just the flowers rather than the whole setup with the vase and tabletop.  "Garden Roses" depicts a small section of a large bouquet.  It was so much fun to be able to really concentrate on just the roses.  A friend of mine told me he was amazed at the detail in the roses.  I told him to look closer, because in reality, it is not detailed at all.  It is just masses of color and shape. 

"Pink Roses", Oil on Panel, 6"x 8"

"Pink Roses" was painted the week before "Garden Roses".  I am working at loosening up and I feel this painting was definitely a  success in that regard.  It was sort of a break through for me.  I am so excited to be going in this direction.  It is amazing how the most  intricate roses can be depicted with just the proper shape and shadow.

Work in Progress, Oil on Panel, 12"x 16"

This is a work in progress.  I started it in last Wednesday's class and I hope to finish it this week.  It is by far the most challenging of all these rose paintings.  The open petals are a beautiful yellow-green rimmed in red, while the inside is a stunning crimson. 

I wish I had taken photos of the process from the beginning.  I find myself concentrating so intensely that I keep forgetting to take photos along the way.  The process is so important and it's so interesting how masses and shapes morph into recognizable subjects.