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I painted "Rosy Glow" (oil, 8 x 8") from a photo last night. What do you think? I had painted the same flower last summer at a rose garden. It was a very hot day, but I sweated like a pig for a different reason. Who knew painting a single rose would be that hard? Let's face it. It is sometimes easier to paint from a photograph. The flower didn't move by the breeze. The sun didn't rise higher as time went by, changing all the shadow shapes. And no pestering enthusiast wanted to take a picture of me painting!
Do you know what the biggest problem in painting the rose on location was? I saw too many colors! Let's see. Many shades of pink--warm (warmed by the sun) and cool (cooled by the blue sky) to start. Then there was reflected light in the shadows. Oh my god! I had to simplify, simplify, and simplify. Still the plein-air painting didn't work. I threw it out.
In my studio version, I did simplify the colors in the photo, which unfortunately I couldn't find to show you (I must have deleted it in disgust). There are just enough subtle changes in the color temperature to make each petal turn. A rose, or any flower, should look fresh, not bruised with over handling. I hope you agree with my sentiment that I pulled it off this time.
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