Work In Progress

Eucalyptus. Watercolor and gouache on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.
Eucalyptus. 12 x 12, Watercolor and gouache on Arches 140 lb. cold-pressed paper. © 2021 Sheila Delgado.

Experimental. Exhausting. Lacking.

I can’t help but feel this is still in need of… something. First layers in Inktense. Splotches, daubs and puddles. Days of contemplation. Watercolor glazing that became layer after layer. More splotches. More consideration. Days became a week. A week and a half.

I reminded myself it is only paint, and sat down to finish. Gouache thinned to reveal previous layers, for the vase. Thick layers of gouache for the greens. Blues. Blue-greens.

Painting propped up across the room. More thinking.

Happy June y’all!

16 thoughts on “Work In Progress

  1. Chandra Lynn

    I’m not an artist like the others, but I, like Christine, love it! In fact, I love it so much I’m going to try to imitate it in my doodle journal. 😀

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      Haha. Now that is a terrific compliment, Chandra. Have fun! I’d love to see your interpretation. 🙂

      Reply
  2. laurelle cidoncha

    Hello Sheila! So happy to see your art this morning. I love it’s color palette and shapes, the silhouette of the leaves with what to me looks like gold leaf in the background. I think the large vase needs a pattern or shading or even somehow allowing the pattern beneath to appear. Happy June to you!

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      Aww, thank you Laurelle. :o) I agree, it is too flat. Thanks for your suggestions. 🙂 Happy June, Laurelle!

      Reply
  3. paintamasterpiece

    First thoughts … love the leaves and background. I know its not really your style, but I think a highly patterned vase with big zig zags across to offset the dark stripe. And then I saw what was bothering me, that tiny triangle on the top right of the vase where it intersects the dark line. It pulls the eye away from the center of attention. So perhaps a bold line around the rim leading away from this spot???
    Missed yay!

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      Wow, Sea. Thanks. 🙂 I thought of widening the vase. It bothered me that it was off a bit, but I did not notice a triangle until you mentioned it. Yes, distracting. I considered adding a pattern to the vase, it seems so flat. But I thought that might be too much going on. Thanks for your fresh input! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Dotty Seiter

    “Eucalyptus” pulls me RIGHT IN! The deep dark embraces me like a hug, the blue green leaves freshen and deepen my breath, my fingers reach out to touch the vessel, and I skip with a light step through the splatters and patterns of the background to explore with delight.

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      RED!? Now that is a bold idea. Thank you, Carol. I am laughing at your Mantra. Haha. 🙂 Blessings friend 🙂

      Reply
  5. Val van der Poel

    It is interesting but I agree, unfinished. What about using the intense blue to give a light shadow on the left side of the vase and a bit of the tan tone on the right side of the vase – that would tie each separate side into a whole. I haven’t done any painting for ages and and almost afraid to pick up a brush again – life is so busy. Take care.

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      Whew. Oh, that makes me feel better Val. I have been feeling like such a slacker. I painted 2 pieces last month. 2. One was quick and will never be shown. Haha. And this took me about 3 weeks off and on. I have crossed off lots of things on my long list, but nothing that is visible to anyone but myself. Haha.
      I do need to add some depth to the vase. As always, I appreciate your input, Val. 🙂 Thanks!

      Reply
  6. Christine Brooks

    I love it! the dark blue is fantastic. the ocher, yellow a great contrast. The veritable greens. The dots and translucent colors perfect.

    Reply
    1. Sheila Post author

      Haha, thank you, Christine. 🙂 I hope you are finding time to paint and to relax! Enjoy!

      Reply

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