Rose Oil Painting – Block In Session

It’s a long haul this oil painting lark. Today was a 4 hour block in session. I’m working larger today on a 16″x20″ panel which was a lesson in itself. More paint, bigger brushes, and trying to keep the shapes interesting at a bigger scale.

First the drawing.

All the main colors were pre-mixed as we’d already done a color study.

The main rose colors went in along with some of the dark greens to check values.

Starting the block-in with light and shadow colors

More colors on the background flowers.

The final block in with all hard edges

Final Block-In with Softened Edges

And the final block in with all edges softened. Next will be refining the drawing, sharpening up some edges and putting in detail. Phew!

Rose Bouquet Color Study Finished

Peach and White Roses Color Study Finished. Michele Clamp. Oil on paper. 8″x10″

The color study is done and I’m happy with it. It’s not a painting – just blocks of color but it seems to hang together well. This is 8″x10″ and I’m planning maybe going up to 16″x20″ for the final thing. Unless I chicken out of course.

Here’s the state of the palette. I try and keep it tidy with so many colors on the go but it gets confusing.