by Clare Bowen | Oct 18, 2018 | Flower, Purple, Sunflowers, Yellow
Oil on muslin covered board which I’d made myself.Thicker paint and experimenting with medium – GAMBLIN : GALKYD GEL OIL PAINTING MEDIUM. Speeds the drying time and adds a glossy thickness.Purple to compliment the yellow.Colours from the painting put into...
by Clare Bowen | Mar 17, 2018 | Artist Life, Artist Tips, Flower, Flowers, Jug, Snowdrops, Still Life, Studio
Last of the spring flowers for now especially with the snow falling outside! These little snowdrops were still good after the previous day painting. I didn’t want to repeat the painting so changed from glass to a jug. I use a viewfinder for just about...
by Clare Bowen | Mar 14, 2018 | Flower, Flowers, Square, Still Life, Studio, Yellow
I have spent the past 3 days painting in my studio instead of en plein air, a change mainly because it was raining in the beginning of the week and I fancied painting some spring flowers…..I was given this posy by mother in law for Mothers day. I liked the...
by Clare Bowen | Jun 20, 2016 | Flower, Flowers, Square, Yellow
Love the vibrancy and sunshine feel to these. They could be in the sunbaked Mediterranean but sadly not! I was unsure about the centre area before I painted as it seamed so dark and boring but looking closely when I was painting it there are so many vairations...
by Clare Bowen | Jun 17, 2016 | Flower, Flowers, Orange, Pink, Rose, Square
A beautiful rose, I don’t know the name of, I like the full rounded head and two tone petal colours. Really difficult to paint! There is a tendency to get lost in the layers of complex petals – simplifying! But still getting the essence of it.The photo has...
by Clare Bowen | Jun 15, 2016 | Flower, Square, White, Yellow
I had one of those days today. I went to get a rose for this painting and was so excited and focused on getting one I forgot to pay the car park. I didn’t remember until I saw a parking fine on my window, very upsetting! So upset I then got lost on the journey...
by Clare Bowen | May 27, 2016 | Flower, Pink, Square, Surrey
A sunny morning, I was going to find somewhere away from the house to paint but as I was going through the back door this flower stopped me. Beautifully sunlight from behind, I wanted to capture the vibrant yet delicate petals. One thing I’ve learnt...
by Clare Bowen | May 16, 2016 | 5x7", Flower, Pink, Plant, Rose
I am buzzing from an amazing painting weekend! It was at the Old Bank Studios in Harwich, a great set up for painting courses (lovely lunches too!)Haidee-Jo Summers ran the workshop, she is a wonderful plein air painter, I feel very inspired and full of new...
by Clare Bowen | Apr 23, 2016 | Flower, Flowers, Pink, Plant, Square
I used a deep dusty pink ground base colour (see pic below) which allowed me to see the white petals of the magnolia.Broad strokes were used with not too much fussy detail. The tonal differences were very small, I did light the flowers from the side to create more...
by Clare Bowen | Apr 22, 2016 | Flower, Pink, Plant, Square
A tricky subject! Painting the flowers so they are defined but not overworked. Simplyfing the pink tones and shapes otherwise its confusing to the eye. I did paint in a blue background thinking it’s like the sky, but it looked dreadful! It’s now...
by Clare Bowen | Feb 15, 2016 | 5x7", Flower, Flowers, Purple, Still Life
These flowers were in my bouquet I had on for Valentines day :-)I like the wispy delicate buds and rich deep flower heads. I had a go at drawing it before thinking it would work as a coloured drawing. But the colours were so wishy washy compared to oils I had to then...
by Clare Bowen | Feb 14, 2016 | Flower, Flowers, Red, Rose, Square
I brought this rose for my husband for Valentines Day. It’s the first time I have painted a rose, it’s not easy but I enjoyed it. Its called a Naomi rose, with soft velvety petals.I painted it being totally unsure as to how it would turn out, I used lots...
by Clare Bowen | Jan 31, 2016 | Flower, Green, Iris, Purple, Small, Square, Yellow
My Mum and Dad in law are coming for Sunday lunch. I wanted to get a little painting in before they came and before we started cleaning the house! I lit the flower but I ended up turning it off half way through as it made it too complicated with the lights and...
by Clare Bowen | Jan 28, 2016 | Flower, Green, Iris, Purple, Small, Square, Yellow
It was good to try the iris again, a close up small painting. Easier to focus on the colours and tones when there is just a single flower. I had ‘learnt’ the subject yesterday so it was familiar today and therefore a lot easier. I enjoyed using the rich...
by Clare Bowen | Jan 27, 2016 | 10x8", Flower, Flowers, Green, Iris, Matte dog, Purple
These flowers took me ages! So much so Matte, my dog asked for food and attention while I was taking the photo of the finished painting, see pic below. Tricky subject again, next time I’m doing a simpler one! I thought the Iris flowers looked a bit like...
