Thursday, July 06, 2006

Tomatoes



I began with these tomatoes (the darker set) and tried by adding DOZENS of washes to get the colors as intense as I wanted ... I overworked the poor paper! But I let it dry -- (novel idea!! LOL) then gradually built up the layers again (drying in between) ... added a bit of ink .. and I really like it -- even though it's overworked!

I was reading tonight about intensifying colors by adding the colors NEXT on the color chart to the color you are want to intensify .... So I decided to do this sketch again (another set of tomatoes -- the lighter version) using that principle -- it seemed to work as I didn't need as many layers to achieve a better intensity. Learning can sure take a long time!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful tomoatoes! They look delicious!

Dawn said...

We had our first *sort of ripe* tomato yesterday! I love them!!

Your paintings are great. I especially like the bottom one. Maybe I'll try to draw some squash. Those we have plenty of.

I love the photos of the grands too. They are adorable. I like your paintings of them too.

I think my not-so-wonderful sketches of my Maddie are some of my favorites of my sketches. Even if they aren't perfect, they sure bring me back to the day I drew them while she was busy with her own drawing.

Anonymous said...

Fine looking tomatoes, Lin and the range of values really makes them seem very dimensional

Tami said...

Lin, you did Great on both drawings of these tomatoes! I can't see where they are overworked (maybe it is one positive thing about the scanner not always picking up all the detail *Ha*). I do like the one with the complimentary color. I also, have been trying to use the color wheel more for POP.

Anastasia said...

It looks great - very tasty indeed!
sounds like u had fun experimenting!

Felicity Grace said...

They are not overworked from where I'm sitting! :) The colour is super and the shine and clarity works to make them good enough to eat!

Jana Bouc said...

These are gorgeous! And I learned something new about watercolor--I hadn't heard that idea before that to make it darker use the color next to it on the color wheel. I'm going to try that and see how it works. Thanks!

Clare said...

Great experiment Lin, and I too don't think they look overworked at all. They look good enough to eat! Has anyone ever told you that you handwriting is beautiful? I think it is.

Anonymous said...

Delicious! I can feel the smooth shiny skin stretched to the limit. I love what you've done here with colors and layering.

DALowe Artist said...

I like these sketches. The second one is better, althought the first doesn't look that overworked. Nice job!

Unknown said...

Learning may take a long time, Lin, but it sure is worth it! These are both wonderful - you've achieved both the shine and the dimension that tomatoes exude! Nice, nice work!!

Anonymous said...

These are beautiful paintings, Lin! I like the bottom one and it isn't overworked in my opinion, just more intense. The colour of the tomatoes reminds me of the new 'chocolate' tomatoes I saw at the store the other day. They are are brownish red and the story on the label says that a young boy didn't have any money to buy his sweetheart gifts. So he created these tomatoes. They really are called Chocolate Tomatoes. Although there seems to be a lot of contoversy about these tomatoes and where they originated. I'm just telling the story attached to the label.
Anyway, your painting remeinded me of these and I really like both your paintings! Great experiment with the colours, too. Have to try that.

Teri said...

GORGEOUS GORGEOUS!! Isn't it great when you try something new and it works!! Love these tomatoes.

Anonymous said...

Lin, I'd be so proud of these if they were mine--exquisite sketches. You are becoming the Master of the Vegetable!

Linda said...

Lin, these are great! You're right on about letting one layer dry before glazing on the next. It makes a whole different color that doing wet in wet. Your persistence and dedication is a real inspiration -- keep it up!

Carole said...

Luscious tomatoes, Lin. Your perseverence certainly is paying off. What an inspiration you are!

Terri said...

Hmmm....overworked if you say so, but I REALLY like the darker version best. They look delicious!! :o)