Red Geranium Nearly Complete

I am just tweaking areas that can use depth. I continue to use the same colors used previously to glaze little washes throughout the painting. Each glaze, whether in the same color or a different color, will enhance the values and intensify the colors. Using subtle variations of soft and hard edges also adds depth and realism to the piece.
My next post should be of the final piece.
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Red Geranium Painting Installment No. Two

This is the second installment of How to Paint a Red Geranium.
At this stage of the painting I have used a cool red, Alizarin Crimson, to paint some cool shadow areas in the flower petals. The value (lightness or darkness) of the shadow areas is important. If it is too light the painting will look pale and washed-out. If the value is too dark, too soon, subsequent glazes will just look dull instead of transparent.
I have also used a very wet, thinned wash of Scarlet Lake to brighten and enhance some of the warmer petals. I don't plan to do a background wash for this painting, so I am leaving it alone and concentrating on the flower and leaves.
It's important to use a variety of edges, both crisp and soft. Check back for the next installment, hopefully tomorrow!

Red Geranium in Watercolor Process

A few posts ago I showed a red geranium painting that I did with my students. I thought it would be fun to show you how that painting was developed.
First, a drawing was done from a photo I took of a geranium in a flower pot in my back yard. I greatly simplified the picture by leaving out the background and only focusing on one stem of petals with corresponding leaves.
After applying the drawing to my watercolor paper I have applied the first wash with Winsor Red, a Winsor Newton color. I used a varied wash with light and dark values to provide a foundation of color on which to layer future glazes. I will post the next stage of this painting soon.
Classes are starting this week, but I am always open to new students anytime. Stop by my website to see the schedule - you can register online! Click here for class information.