February 2020 30-Day Creative Challenge, Day 4

Day 4, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.
Day 4, FEB C.G., 8 x 8, watercolor on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2020 Sheila Delgado.

This is my Paddle Plant. Also known as a Flapjack It is a succulent, with thick leaves. I will be painting this again, from a side view. Some of the larger leaves curve downward. That is supposed to be a bad sign, but they are healthy. The leaf edges often turn red in winter. Mine have not.

Whew! I finished. Not sure if I pulled it off, but I had fun in the process. Values kick my butt every time. I painted the soil, brownish with details. But it was distracting. And the background was lighter, with multiple tones and some really cool blooms. Those were distracting as well.

Day 4 reference photo, SMD
Day 4 reference photo, SMD

Thinking of going back in and lifting the background. then adding the color of the table in the reference photo. What do you think?

6 thoughts on “February 2020 30-Day Creative Challenge, Day 4

  1. Val van der Poel

    My first thought – that’s different for Sheila! Second thought – very cool. I rather like the dark background it makes the leaves stand out more than a lighter one. Nice piece Sheila.

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      Different – Awesome Val! 🙂 Very cool. That works too. Hahaha 🙂 Glad you like it 🙂 Thanks for letting me see it through your eyes 🙂

      Reply
  2. David Wolanski

    I like what you did! I think you got the essence of the thing. I like the perspective.

    Poking at stuff often backfires for me. I think I might try to show that inner dish with white ink if it was me. Then I’d be mad when I screwed it up! lol

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      You are a mind reader Dave 😮 I thought about showing some of the cut-out details on the pot, but feared I would screw it up. Haha. 🙂

      Reply
  3. dotty seiter

    “The leaf edges often turn red in winter. Mine have not,” you say. Oh, but they could! Those red edges are but a paint stroke away! Love the strong quiet presence of this piece

    Reply

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