Suncatchers

Suncatchers
12 x 16 Oil Painting by Pat Fiorello
$650

Approached this scene with a different method than I usually do for flowers. Typically I block in the shapes with transparent colors, then build opaques on top to refine. A method I learned from Hedi Moran, Ovanes Berbarian ( he had a slightly different take on it) and reinforced by several other artists I've studied with over the years. I like the luminosity it provides. Feels natural, probably my earlier training in watercolor is creeping in. 

On this one thought, I used an alternative approach that I saw Ovanes demonstrate. he had toned the canvas in black and thalo blue ( I know, hard to imagine), then drew, and starting building the shadow shapes, leaving the light for last.

Below is a glimpse at the process unfolding that led to the finished  "Suncatchers" painting shown above.

As much as I may be "attached" to the way I usually like to start things, this alternate approach made sense too and I was happy with the end result.

Just a good reminder that there are many ways to approach a painting. Not one right or best way. Each painting is it's own unfolding journey and there are many possible ways to get there. Good to have many paths available.