"Orchid Study 2" - SOLD

Here is the progress on the paintings for the office. I'm pretty happy with how they're going. In fact, looking at them now I feel like they even look better cropped and hung. I've been using a wet/dry method. Just being really really detailed and then looking at the basic shapes/colors. It's been really successful for me. Here I'll explain.

Ok so I start with sketching loosely in pencil (if I feel like it, somethings I just skip to the next step). Then I'll wet some of the areas off with slightly pigmented water (so I can see where I've been). If there are any really large colored areas I'll do a mingled wash within them now. Then after that I just start putting down dry details and blending/mingling things.

It's probably good to mention that I settle down somewhere comfy with my reference close in front of me  and my water/paints close on my right. Then I either hold my paper close to my eyes or bend down to where it's laying directly in front of me (with the reference right behind it). All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. -Henry Ellis