What I'm painting now

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This yellow hibiscus I started nine days ago has been a nice challenge.  You can see the progress in this series of pics.

1. First I roughed out the bones on a burnt siena toned canvas. 

 

2. Then I began to refine the shapes and shadows - for example I worked on the shadow of the pistil, dabbing yellow and lemon 'holes' for the gaps between the stamens. 

 

3. Next I had a good go at the dents and area where the petals join in the centre and developed the roundness of the pistil stalk (it has an odd transition from pink to lime green) and the stamens, by shading one side.  I had to remember to add the glow of light that is reflected off the sunny side into the shade in the centre.  It was fun to add the puffs of pollen and the tiny stalks.  

 

4. Yesterday I wrestled with the dents and bumps and grooves on the lower right hand corner petal.  I think I'm almost there.  I was pleased to be able to capture the translucent bump on the top edge, where the sun shines through the back of the petal.

  

 You might notice I haven't touched the upper right hand petal yet.  Today!