Sunday, April 30, 2017

Descanso Roses

Today we're at Descanso Gardens in Pasadena, where the roses are in full bloom. 

This gouache study takes about 45 minutes. I start with a yellow-ochre underpainting and knock in the darks. Then I paint the cool shadow whites and sunlit whites opaquely. 

The petals have the slightest tinge of yellow, which is multiplied in the interstices as the transmitted light finds its way deep into the flower. 

4 comments:

Matt said...

Really nice. Those red thorns add a lot of interest, too.

SusanT said...

Hi James. Will you be doing the plein air paintout at NYBG next month? I could not find a list of the artists.

Rebekah said...

This is lovely!!

Lara said...

very nice, love the petals transparency.