Heavenly Hydrangeas!

Hydrangeas are just heavenly. They have a regal, Victorian look and there's such a softness about them. They appear as though they do nothing all day, but, believe me, hydrangeas work hard! When you consider that each hydrangea pom pom has dozens of tiny separate flowers within it, all trying to bloom at the same time...That's a lot of work!  

"Hydrangea" / Watercolor by Carole Poole

During the spring and summer, I spend a lot of time in our garden photographing and sketching the different flowers.  My husband is an amazing gardener and plans carefully so something is always blooming at Bent Grass Garden.

No wonder, I seek out these lovely flowers while perusing the garden for subject matter to paint.  We have nine healthy bushes, each loaded down with beauty!  Every flower has a lovely bobbing head with tiny precious details and luscious color.  

I have added hydrangeas to my sketchbook often, but this year, I decided to complete a full sized painting (11X14 inches).  Making a choice from among the various varieties we have planted was my only obstacle. My final choice was Endless Summer in such a yummy shade of lavender.   



One interesting fact about hydrangeas is that you can actually change the color of your flowers by adding certain nutrients to the soil. Just a quick reference is acid soil creates lavender or blue flowers and adding alkaline promotes pinks. There are many websites explaining how to do this. I've never tried it, but think it would be interesting to watch. However, we are sooooo happy with the colors of ours, no need to change them at all!  

Painting reference:  
After lightly sketching the flowers, I added the first layer of color and let it completely dry before adding the next layers.  (Above)

I continued glazing and adding layers of lavender and blue, plus I started the green leaves. (Left)

Once I began adding the dark background, the florets begin to take shape. Especially in the areas between the petals.   (Below)

I hope you'll take time to seek out some beautiful flowers to paint this summer. They only last a short time. So by preserving them using paint and paper, you can enjoy them for years to come. 
And, think about it, you can change the colors of your hydrangeas using paint much easier than changing the soil nutrients!  

Easy Peasy!




Enjoy my tiny video below of one of our hydrangea bushes in the garden. Love 'em. Love 'em, Love 'em!

Happy Painting!   Carole

An Italian Villa

A sweet couple that I know well recently commissioned me to paint an Italian Villa that they stayed in while touring Italy. It was to be a thank you gift to the friends who invited them to stay in the villa. It's a lovely place nestled in the hills among orchards and vineyards. I loved painting it for them and was so happy they liked the end result. Here are some of the steps I took to create the watercolor they asked for... using pictures they had taken while they were there.

After a light drawing, I began the process with watercolor washes to determine 

the composition and place the main features 

I continued to add washes and began to find areas to add in the darks. 

This helped to create depth and make certain areas stand out.

As I continued to add landscape, distant mountains and sky features, 

the painting slowly began to take shape.

From this point, details became important. This is my favorite part!

Adding details and darks, I continued to glaze in the layers and add shadows.

Suddenly, it began to come alive!

I continued the painting until I felt it was complete. Sometimes, it's actually hard to know when all of the steps are done. It's something an artist faces each time they take on a painting. It's always best not to over paint. Most of the time, watercolors are best left understated. 

But this time...I knew when it was finished. It just told me!

It was complete and ready to ship directly to the homeowners. Their Italian Villa!!!

Thanks for dropping by...I try to post as often as I can, and lately that hasn't been too often!

But here's to more posts in the future!

Carole

Condo in Chicago!

Many times I am asked by real estate agents to create a painting of a house they have sold to a special client. It's such a wonderful gift for their clients and I always love being a part of it. This condominium in Chicago is a example of one of those gifts.

Today I'm posting just a quick little sample of the steps I took to create this watercolor.

After completing the drawing I began the main bricked portion of the house and simple greenery.

Continuing with the bricks, I added shading to create perspective and interest.

Next I added the details on the steps and door and completed the greenery around the house

Adding the sky, surrounding fencing, steps and sidewalk, details on the door, windows 

and street sign completed the painting. 

It was then packaged and shipped to the agent to make the presentation to the client at the closing!!!

Thanks for joining me today. Email me if you have any questions....

See you again on Wednesday!!!!

Carole

Misty Mountain!

 This mountain retreat in Washington was the perfect home for a watercolor! 

I especially loved the mist rising behind the house. I really took my time and 

enjoyed getting to know the lodge and it's grand surroundings.

I stayed as close as possible to the photograph while drawing and painting this one. 

There wasn't one thing I didn't LOVE about the picture the owner sent me! 

As a matter of fact, I was so absorbed in the painting process, I forgot to take pictures. 

I only have a few but will post them to let you see how I started out.

A little closer view of the photo above. As you can see, I started with the trees and shrubs and 

then went to the roof. I waited until the very end to tackle the misty mountainside.

I kept adding details and finalizing the house before adding the mist.  

I have only one picture of adding the mist!!!! It was actually a very closely timed process. 

When I'm laying down a wet wash, I have to work quickly before it dries. 

This mist was the perfect example of that and I couldn't put down the brush to take more pics.
But at least there's one!

But you can see how the mist within the trees turned out. It actually took me much less time 

than I had thought it would. I really had to be careful not to overwork it. 

And...here is it!

Thanks for dropping by and please come back soon.

Try to pick up a brush this year. Let me know if you're considering watercolor and 

I would be happy to give you some beginner tips.

Happy New Year to each and everyone!

Carole