Time Drawn: Fall 2011
This was an experimental piece in many ways.
For one thing, I was trying out painting on black paper. Did you know how difficult it is to get black watercolor-grade paper? I had to use construction paper, which isn’t thick enough in the first place, and the black dye bled some from the water I was using.
That’s why the background is that interesting mottled purple color. The dye isn’t true black, it’s actually a really dark purple, and the paper wrinkled from the moisture, causing the dye to pool in the low spots. It’s an interesting effect, but not at all what I was aiming for.
I also learned just how much paint is required to have the colors be visible. That’s why artist tend to paint on white paper. Even the slightest hint of color shows up. I repainted the base color at least five or six times to get it this intense.
Now, this actually is part of what makes this piece glow some. The black background forms a dark base, and the layers of color show through slightly with the semi-transparent watercolors I was using. It’s a tricky thing to manage, these layers of color, even if they’re necessary to paint skin and other things realistically. So I’m glad I managed it.
I was also trying a Celtic knotwork design. It’s one of my own invention, of course. I mean, how many other Celtic strawberries have you seen?! The leaves came out beautifully, though I’m not sure how well the spirals in the knots represent seeds, like I was hoping. Still, with the strong yellow highlighting I put on the lines, the knotwork does stand out.
As for why it’s a strawberry… Honestly, I don’t fully remember. I know I was going for something fairly simple for this, with all the experiments I was running. So hey, strawberry!
