Showers To Flowers

Hydrangea Study 6 x 6 " oil on gessobord panel ©2012 Fay Terry

Yesterday, we had some heavy rain, complete with thunder, lightning, and high winds. This morning I discovered twice as many blossoms open on the Hydrangea bushes beside the porch. 

 I am still experimenting with methods and paint colors to capture their essence. I am not sure what it is that draws me to them so strongly but every year they mesmerize me with their colors, shapes, and fluffiness.  These flowers art totally lacking in fragrance but they make up for it with their other charms.

 Every artist who paints them seems to take a different approach and I am evolving with mine. I like this one I tried today and you will see me paint more of them this way.  I massed in the entire shape  with paint and then added a few darker petals on the shadow side and then much lighter petals on the side where the sun was hitting. Fortunately, I have the entire summer to perfect my method!