Azaleas and Palette Knife Painting

I look out my window and see the bright fuchsia of the azalea bushes in the yard.  It is the brief few weeks in the south when all plant life shows off its finest colors.  I hustle to get the oils out to try to do justice to nature's decorations.  I pick a batch of blooms, put them in a glass pitcher and begin work.

 

My palette consists of Titanium White, Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Cadmium Red Light, Cadmium Orange, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue and Phthalo Blue.  I add Weber Res-n-Gel quick drying extender to the paint because I use a palette knife and apply the paint very thickly.  I want the paint to dry in a few days, not a few weeks.  The Res-n-Gel helps with both thickness and drying time.

 

I work very quickly and finish the piece in one session.  There is no dawdling when it comes to painting live flowers.  They change so rapidly.  I do not use my camera this time because I feel only the live subject will spur me on to bolder painting.   Here are the results.

Copyright Mona Vivar, Azalea Burst, 14 inches by 11 inches, oil on canvas

Available on Etsy at Mona Vivar Fine Art

Azalea Burst detail

Azalea Burst detail

 

 

Azalea Burst detail

Azalea Burst detail