Dying Sunflowers — Painting #100

Wow! I’ve actually made 100 paintings. This one was my first from life rather than a photo. And, man, these sunflowers are in bad shape! I bought them specifically to paint them, but I’ve been drawing rather than painting for the last week or so. (I did take some photos of them right when I bought them, though, so I can try again.)

I decide to use my new Green Earth paint for the stems and leaves (mixed with my go-to Chromium Oxide Green. I used Diarylide Yellow for the petals, and a mix of Burnt Umber Light w/ Carbon Black for the faces of the flowers.

Testing New Paint Colors

The other day I bought some new acrylic paints from brands I haven’t used before. I needed some more yellow azo medium, so I tried Matisse Flow. I am perfectly happy with the color and the paint itself, but a negative for me is this brand has a foil covering once you take off the cap. I couldn’t pull it off by hand; had to use a knife — and found the whole thing unnecessary.

I got Green Earth and Payne’s Gray made by Old Holland. I like both colors — in particular the Payne’s Gray which would be great for a night sky. It surprised me that the Green Earth was so transparent. It would be good in a floral still life or a landscape.

The Cerulean Blue is made by Charvin. I think it’s a single pigment color. And I love the color!