Another Go at Matilija Poppy

I worked off a reference image. Took this picture during a work break while walking around bushes of matilija poppies.

I worked with a grid to get the general proportions right. I wish I took a photo of this step. Its generally drawing a grid on the canvas and the same grid on the photo and using this to guide you. You can draw the grid with a pencil or charcoal stick. If you use a charcoal stick, get some fixative too to prevent your charcoal from brushing off.  

Quickly block everything in. I think it was this painting, where I first used acrylic as a base to block everything in. I think I heard about this from another artist on instagram. 

Some benefits of using acrylic to block everything in:

• acrylic dries quicker

• acrylic is generally cheaper than oils

I tend to work in layers with each layer getting a bit more detailed than the last (i.e. painting of a friend). 

Note: You can still vaguely see the grid I used beneath the acrylic.

The folds. Definitely an exercise of capturing shadows and highlights and thinking about how all the individual folds create shape and texture at different texture. 

Reflection of the yellow orb. The yellow orb reflects off the petals. This is lightly captured in the petals in multiple places. In hindsight, I could have pushed harder here, but at the same time like the cooler colors I do have. 

Colors. I love a bluish-grey. Made with burnt umber and cobalt blue. 

Really tried to get something moody and dark enough to really help the petals pop. Tried to do something abstract, but still based in the matilija bush. Again this lack of focus on the background, was meant to draw more attention to the detailed flower. 

Very happy with the result. Final audit, pushing lights and darks here and there. Getting crisp edges, smoothening some transitions.  Finally adding a coat of glossy varnish, which seems to make everything pop.