More Cherries

Cherries and Crystal 11x15 watercolor and acrylic

I had to paint some more cherries in a crystal bowl after learning the technique from Ann Abgott last month. I set up my own still life and photographed it from different angles to try to get a good composition. I assumed this is easy when I started, but I soon find out that it's not! After a lot of trail and error I came up with a photo that I liked and printed it out. Then it was off to the printer to get an enlargement to work from. I did several set ups so that I wouldn't have to keep making trips. I have worked on this over 3 or 4 weeks with a Karlyn Holman workshop in between. I find it really helps to do your own painting after learning something new; it helps those newly formed brain cells to stay in place. Now I'm thinking of combining the two different styles of painting. "I wonder what would happen if..." is one of my favorite questions.

Workshop, Third Day

Bowl of Cherries 15x11

I haven't finished the painting for the second day so I'm skipping to the third day painting which I just completed. I've always looked at crystal bowl paintings as just too detailed for me but once I got into it I must admit, I got hooked. It's amazing that just with leaving white in the right places you give the illusion of sparkling glass. I think I may have to try this again with my own set up.

The background was done the same way as in the previous pear painting except that this time I used silver gesso to stamp on the background with added dark greens. I think I would be less heavy handed with the silver next time around.

A special thanks goes to Anne Abgott who was so generous with her time and supplies during our workshop. You can find her at http://www.anneabgott.com