Saturday, November 12, 2011

Lela Stankovic - Temptation




Artist: Lela Stankovic


Medium: Watercolor on paper
Size: 10.5" x 14"
Artist's blog: http://www.lelacreations.blogspot.com/
Artist's web site: http://www.lelacreations.com/

4 comments:

Nidhi Krishna said...

Beautiful Painting Lela....The vase and its reflections are simply superb.love this painting...

Lela Stankovic said...

Thanks Nidhi!

Nelvia said...

Now this is something to learn from. Love the intricate work on the vase and it's reflections. Also unique texture on the background. How you managed to pull off everything going on in the painting, but it doesn't complete. Really nicely done Lela

Lela Stankovic said...

I am glad you like it Nelvia and I am always happy to share the lessons I learned through trial and error.

This watercolor painting was painted in many transparent watercolor washes preserving white of the paper for the light areas. By applying watercolor in fine washes the color intensity was slowly built and subsequent washes did not disturb under layers in a great deal. A strong value contrast, details, darker and warmer colors bring elements of the paining forward or at least in focus. They really call for attention. A colder, similar in values elements with preferably soft edges recede in the back of the painting. They are non-intrusively describing the form and space without competing for attention.

To achieve a main focus on the cantaloupe and its reflection, the rest of the painting - details on the table cloth (especially at the right side in the shadow), the flowers and the background were “toned down”. Although full of cracked wall details, the value difference in the background is hardly visible. It is hard to see due to poor picture resolution, but there is a small ladybug added at the bottom left corner to balance the composition and add interest.

I hope this will help in making your own decisions as you paint, deciding what to bring forward and what to “push back” in the painting to achieve a pleasing atmosphere.