Painting a Yellow Rose in Shadow

Here is "Part 2" of the Process for Painting Roses. 

In the previous post, I stressed a step-by-step approached for painting roses.  I emphasized the importance of getting the size and silhouette correct as you find the correct values with which to fill in the different areas of your rose

In this part of the lesson, I'd like to stress the need to stay aware of temperature and color saturation.  In the photos below, you'll see the stages of development for a yellow rose - mostly in shadow.

(The next blog post will show the yellow rose hit by full light.) 
 

1. Finding the silhouette, size and placement - using a cool neutral to begin the flower.

2. Color saturation is lowest in bright light or shadow, and highest where light is actually shining through an object, or hitting an object.  In this case, the object is a petal.

 

3. Squinting down to see shapes, edges and values.            4. Opening eyes to see color and temperature.

 

 

5. Starting to add the leaf behind the flower - to help it "come forward" in the bouquet.

 

 

 6. Notice how mild and unsaturated the color is in shadow? Only the deepest crevices or petals with reflected light have rich color showing.

 

 

7. Note the edges are purposely varied - some are soft/sharp, while others are lost/found.

***The next post will show the process used for painting a yellow rose in direct light.