Wildflower Rhythms

This is the second image students in my workshop will be creating. I always hand out a step-by-step printout but also demonstrate the steps in the workshop.

Reference photo of wildflowers at Shaker Village, Harrodsburg, KY

This photograph is only marginally helpful. I created the original drawing on location at Shaker Village and I could see into the shadow area under the tree. Unfortunately the camera blocked up that area.

I started by rubbing medium brown Nupastel into the 400 grit Uart sanded paper which creates a warm underpainting and I mark a 1/3 grid pattern on the paper to help with compositional location of the elements of the design. I blocked in the basic 3-5 shapes which is all that is needed to get the composition started.

Start blocking in the basic shapes. I usually use an indigo blue to block in the shadow areas and orange to block in the sunny areas.

Next step is to add more of the actual basic color of the vegetation but still keeping to warm colors in the sunshine areas. Locate the direction of the sun to add light areas to the dark trees. Along the side of the image you'll see color dots of the colors I've used so far in this scene.

Final steps is to add more detail in the grasses and the lightest lights of the Queen Anne's Lace, which notice has light blue marks to denote shadow on the white flowers. 

This painting is an impressionistic rendition of wildflowers in a field. I've tried to display the feeling of the beautiful chaos of wildflowers.