After I painted up my lemons today I was trying to think up a good title. Then I thought, ya, I’ll just look up quotes about lemons! Who knew there only seems to be quotes based on the tried and true, “When life gives you lemons…”. But here’s my favorite iteration.
“I believe when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. Then try to find someone whose life has given them vodka.”
~Ron White
Title: “Deconstructed Lemonade” |
Anyway, these were such a bear to paint. I think it’s because there’s not much variation in yellows. I mean I have Pure Yellow from Schmincke and New Gamboge from Daniel Smith. I can use the Quin gold for light shadows but then for the darker ones I had to go with Burnt Sienna and Quin Burnt Orange. I really didn’t find any of the shadows really worked like I wanted them to. The only fix was to use some Payne’s Grey which was NOT how the reference photo looked. But then I’m not trying to recreate a photo, it’s supposed to be my interpretation. I do love how the bowl turned out though.
I am adding this week’s artwork to Paint Party Friday. Come on over and see all the pretty colors!
Christine
Gosh, lovely lemons, beautiful piece! I like the quote too.
Giggles
They are beautiful, as is the quote! You have such a gorgeous style! My daughter uses lemons daily to make a lemon,ginger,honey tea! It's so good!
Hugs Giggles
Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA
Hi there, Jenn, long time no see! Your lemons look amazing. Blessings!
Gloria J Zucaro
You have such a talent for accurate drawing and then superb watercolors to follow. I think this is so rich looking, luscious!
Jennifer McLean
thanks so much Gloria, I was so surprised at what a bear it was to finish!
Sue (this n that)
Hello Jenn… well, I'm really impressed at just how many shades of yellow you did create. I know it's quite different when you're the one who's done the work, you know all the nitty gritties that were involved. However, looking at it in its finished state I found it so pleasing to the eye.
Those sparkles of sunlight are so uplifting and really add a zing to your painting. They look juicy and fresh. I'd grate their zest anytime ;D)
Yes, absolutely, the reference photo is exactly that isn't it.
Cheers Jenn, lovely to catch up once more and to be totally inspired by your work :D)
froebelsternchen Susi
An amazing bowl of lemons! I can imagine that it is difficult with just yellow .. a really challenge to paint lemons I guess!
Happy PPF!
Thank you for visiting my blog!
oxo Susi
Valerie-Jael
Your lemons are beautiful and they look so good and happy. Happy PPF, Hugs, Valerie
sirkkis
Delicate and beautiful ♥
Jennifer McLean
thanks so much for your lovely comment.
Serena Lewis
OH, I think they turned out splendidly, Jenn…I can smell the citrus scent all the from here. Happy PPF! 🙂
Sandra Busby
This quote just cracked me up Jenn! Love it! And those lemons… Did you say you had a break from painting?? You'd never know! :0)
Linda Kunsman
this painting is positively gorgeous and so very realistic Jennifer! Your watercolor painting is so impressive. Happy PPF!
denthe
haha, I love that quote 🙂 I think you did a great job with all the yellows, and the glassiness of the bowl is stunning. Great work! thanks so much for your heartwarming comment on my blog. Wishing you a joyful weekend!
Faye
Beautiful rendition of lemons and bowl! The colors you used are on my palette since they are the ones used by my watercolor teacher. Except quin gold which I bought because I like it. And Payne's gray which the teacher won't let us use in class although she did order it for one student who absolutely LOVES Payne's Gray. Loved your story about the heron. Poor guy didn't realize his shadow could be seen. Fish are smarter than people realize.
Nicole Beadwright Campanella
Wow Jen I think these are amazing. The difference in value and lighting is superb. Well done indeed.
Jan
Such a sunny and happy painting …so pretty!!!
Happy PPF~
Jan
Debbie Nolan
Beautiful painting of lemons. Yellow is a very hard color for me to paint and you did this so wonderfully. I hope you are having a sunny day.
Tracy
Ha! Life's giving me lots of lemons recently as our tree seems to be going for a record harvest. What I need is recipes! I've made lemon curd, lemon sorbet, lemon marmalade, lemon truffles, lemon tart, preserved lemons, added them to jugs of cold water, and just zested and juiced a whole bunch for later in the season. Lemonade I haven't resorted to yet…
Beth Niquette
Your lovely painting of lemons looks good enough to eat. Just sayin'. Heehee
bellefrogworks
Jenn-love the lemons! You did a great job
ArtbyNicolaMcLean
I love the composition of this painting – how you've zoomed in on a part of the bowl rather than painting the whole thing – it's so much more interesting to look at! Whatever colours you used you created a wonderfully vibrant painting!