Title and Medium
Amaryllis In Bloom, soft pastel on paper, 16" x 12".
Artist's Statement
I took inspiration from an amaryllis bulb which I grow each year but, for some reason, this year it has decided not to flower. What better excuse, then, than to paint one instead. The flower itself is huge and this represents a small portion of the centre with interesting shapes and colours.
This project is a double first for me - a submission in the monthly painting project and completing a painting using soft pastel, both of which I've enjoyed immensely.
What I'd Do Differently
- I probably should have "zoomed in" even further on the centre of the flower to get more abstract shapes.
- Also I'd like to try this taking a looser approach, with less blending.
Marion Boddy-Evans, Painting Guide, says:
Thanks for taking the leap and making your first project submission! Hopefully it'll be the first of many.
I like the composition as it is here, with various strong lines from each side pushing the eye into the center. I think a "zoomed in" composition would work well too, but it'll be a very different painting.
As I looked at the painting, I found myself turning my head to look at it in different orientations. But I've been unable to decide which I like best. It works every way up for me, which is what a great composition will do.
