A New Inspiration

Recently, I was given farm-fresh eggs by a fellow watercolor society member.  In the dozen, were a few green eggs.  That amazed me as I had never seen green eggs, and it gave me the inspiration to use them for a painting.  Even though eggs are a common subject, I had never attempted them before.  So, this simple still life became a challenge, not only in the composition to which a salt shaker was added, but also in painting the smooth transitions of light and shadow on the eggs.  I also found the shadows to be interesting.  This image tends to separate the colors on the eggs and in the shadows more than appears on the painting itself.  It is painted on my usual 200 lb. CP Saunders Waterford paper, but now feel a smoother paper could have been used.  Colors consist of cool and warm yellows, thalo turquoise, ultramarine blue, with quinacridone gold and sienna, some permanent rose, quinacridone violet and Winsor violet.  I always try to get that elusive perfection but, am for the most part, satisfied with the results.

Green Eggs with Salt, 10” x 14” Watercolor, ©Johanna Cellucci

Whiter Than the Paper

This past Easter I bought a lily for the first time and took some pictures of it.  White is a challenge to paint.  After laying in the dark background, the flower appeared pure white even though the Saunders Waterford 200 lb. CP paper used is more of a natural white.  This is done in a small 6” x 6” square format, which I’ve come to like as it can be completed quicker than a larger painting.  I’m never sure if a painting will work out, but feel this small piece captures the essence of a white lily.

Easter Lily, 6” x 6” watercolor, ©Johanna Cellucci