One More Time

 

Dahlia2, Golden Gate Park
10" x 10" watercolor
on Arches 100% cotton cold press paper

After I sent Canadian watercolorist Marney Ward the completed dahlia painting I'd finished while taking her class (see link or see below), she sent me such a generous and detailed critique that I felt motivated to try a different version.

She felt I'd been too heavy handed with the shadows and that I didn't have enough yellow on the sun-kissed petals. Therefore my color palette was on the cooler side, rather than warmer. Overall, she wanted me to take a more nuanced approach. She did like what I'd done with the center except for the too-dark shadows. She thought more orange there, rather than the darker browns and blues, might be helpful.

So here it is: another version. I do think it's better--warmer and more nuanced--though it still looks a tad unfinished to me. We'll see what happens after it's been on the wall of my studio for a few more days. 

I think I recognize I'll never want to be as detailed/realistic as Marney Ward--I just don't have the patience or inclination, really. But I did learn some things about using contrast for luminosity and lighter washes for transparency. 

Thank you, Marney Ward. 

(Previous version below.)