Sunflowers and Acrylic Palette Tip

Here is where the sunflowers ended up. I used several different methods to achieve blending and edges here – the point of the exercise. This was done from a reference photo on WetCanvas.

I’ve learned alot in my class the past several weeks, but I thought I’d share one thing I stumbled upon. As I’ve been painting every evening I’ve been going through alot more palette paper than usual. It was beginning to bug me. My piles of tube color would be unfinished and the paper would be covered with different mixtures. So, I’d have to transfer the piles to a new sheet or toss it all. Then it occurred to me, I could just put the piles of tube color on the palette paper (that fits inside the Masterson palette with the rubber lid and preserves the paint) and do the mixing elsewhere. Then, when I was at the grocery store I found the perfect mixing surface….one of those flexible cutting mats. It came in several colors, but I use the white one on top of a cookie sheet - creating a nice neutral gray for mixing on. At the end of the session, I just wash off all the mixes of paint, close up the palette and I’m ready to go. So, my palette paper is lasting through more sessions, I can start with a clean slate each time I paint and I have a much larger surface to mix colors on.

I don’t know if would work for anyone else, but for me, it’s a great help!

Comments

[fuzzydragons]

good tip :) I don't think I've ever actually used palette paper before tho, never even heard of it lol you can tell I don't paint very often

you sunflowers have a lot of energy to them, really well done :D

[Jo C]

Great idea, Rose. I have used a paper plate when out doing plein air,but this is better than that. Thanks.

Your edges look great. Linda seems like a great teacher.

[rosewelty]

Jen, thanks. You do plenty of other art. :D

Jo, thanks. I've used paper plates too. Linda is very attentive to her students, I'd definitely recommend her.

[Susan Carlin]

Sounds like a good solution! I really like how you massed the values and resisted painting each petal as a separate entity. I haven't mastered that, myself. When I paint sunflowers, I tend to make each petal too important. Yours work beautifully!

[rosewelty]

Thanks Susan!