'I'm always looking for the Hows and the Whys and the Whats,' said Muskrat, 'That is why I speak as I do. You've heard of Muskrat's Much-in-Little, of course?'
'No,' said the child. 'What is it?'
- The Mouse and his Child. Russell Hoban.

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Friday 25 October 2013

Paisley Peacock Pattern Painting


graphite sketch on 300gsm watercolour paper.
A commission just completed ...
rough sketch

close-up graphite sketch
beginning the watercolour glazes. 



Naples yellow + Prussian blue/turquoise mix

 

Glazing with cad red over blue mix = dull red-mauve

  

Ready to frame.

Framed.  Double matts, and non-reflecting glass.

19 comments:

  1. Katherine, how beautiful. I love paisley in bright colours ~ and to make that connection with peacocks ~ that's what makes you the artist. Is this piece for your own wall or for sale?

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    1. Thanks Carol. I took a bit of risk making it red... but I believe it works.

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    2. Sorry, I didn't answer your question Carol. It's for someone else. Meeting her with it tomorrow so I hope she's pleased!

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  2. Oh WOW ! Absolutely love it!
    Sooooo clever. What a great idea. You say it was commissioned, do you mean the whole idea or someone just asked for a watercolour of a peacock and this is what your artist's mind came up with?
    Thank you so much for showing us the process.

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  3. Thanks Helsie. My at-distance commission process goes something like this: My client wanted 'a peacock painting - completed size approx A3'. So I sketched about half a dozen different ideas I knew I would enjoy doing which you can still see here ( http://the-last-visible-dog.blogspot.co.nz/ ), and she chose a couple she liked and I chose one of them!

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    1. So interesting to see how these things are done Katherine. Love the way you chose to do it and the final result was tremendous. Bet the client loved it too. I rather liked the second approach too. Perhaps another time ??? Could be a money maker !

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    2. I like all the other ideas Helsie... Would love to do them ALL! By the way, the client hasn't seen it yet. I have my fingers crossed.

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  4. Congratulations, beautifully executed. It's a work of art.

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    1. Thank you Adrian. The nice thing about work like this, is that once the drawing is done, it's easy and relaxing, albeit painstakingly methodical and slow.

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  5. Good heavens Kate! You must have spent many hours on that artefact. Wonderful result you clever lass!

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  6. Truly splendid and painstaking work as well. That's one I'd love to see in the flesh so to speak. I hope that it was appreciated and liked.

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    1. Thanks GB. I'm just back from delivering it. She did like it! By now it will be in its new home in the Wellington hills.

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  7. Lovely! The red background was unexpected but impressive. Looks oriental... I can imagine it as a big woven tapestry...

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    1. Thank you Monica. The 'paisley' (boteh) twisted teardrop pattern originally came from Iran and India I think and travelled to Paisley in Scotland via the spread of the British Empah.

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  8. this is very much like the post you did on the ChERRY, you know very meticulous and artzy

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    1. I guess I am a bit artzy Putz!

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  9. You're back! (now I have to see the posts I missed)
    I love this. peacocks are a favourite - I have a few things decorated with peacocks - and I love the Persian look this. But I especially enjoyed you taking us through the process.

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  10. Violet! Yes! I'm back! Only half a dozen you've missed...
    Thanks for your reaction. Us hermit-like studio-dwellers need and appreciate feedback very much. Doesn't have to always be 'positive' - but any reaction is helpful to my art practice.

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