Sad to see the Azaleas go...

Come on, let's all agree, nothing is prettier than a flower drenched spring.  We go through the grey winter months and then suddenly the world is bathed in color and beauty. Thank you, God, for thinking of that!  Having grown up in the south, I personally think there's nothing grander than the azaleas!  My favorite variety changes often and right now, I'm loving the George Taber Azalea. Wow! Really!  Isn't it amazing!

The variety comes in orchid or white and my favorite is the orchid!  It produces masses of showy, light orchid blooms with white variegation. And I love it's little pink freckles on the three top petals. The bush is actually an evergreen and is a great hedge after the blooming season.  I've given you my botanical tips, but what I really love about this lovely flower is how much fun it is to paint!

A while back I created this watercolor (below) using photographs I took of the George Taber Azaleas in our yard.  It has since been juried into many regional shows and won an award in the Georgia Watercolor Member show last summer.  It was a subject matter that I loved, so I looked forward to working on it and the work went quickly.

After placing and partially painting all the flowers, I carefully masked them and painted a very dark black background. After the background dried, I removed the masking and continued to add details to the flowers until finished. Darks and lights were very important in this painting, and I went from one extreme to the other. ("George Taber Azalea" / 18 X 36 inches)

Don't be afraid to use extreme darks in your watercolors. They can take it. If you look at the photographs I've posted here, it's the darkness behind the blossoms that make the rich orchid color stand out. Without that contrast, the painting would be uninteresting and boring.

So that's my challenge to you. Add more pigment to your water. Play with this idea and let me know how it turns out. There's no right or wrong way to do it...just your way!

Sadly, the Azaleas are leaving me now.  I wish they'd lasted longer. But they are making way for the roses now.  Next challenge...the New Dawn roses on our arbor gate.  Can't wait until they arrive.  Farewell, Azaleas, you did a beautiful job this year.  See you next spring!

Happy Painting!  See you next Wednesday!