This is the original Cockatoo picture, I worked in watercolour pencil. The white of the Cockatoo, was difficult to contrast colours with, to make them stand out. I wasn't happy with the yellow-orange, dominating the picture, with nothing to bring harmony.
When I received my new 72 piece, Inktense pencil set, however, I started to rework the picture and develop something different.
I haven't really altered much of the top half - that's still watercolour pencil (mostly), but the lower section I used the Inktense pencils. These are permanent, so unlike watercolour pencils, I cannot remove colour after it dries. It forces me to apply little changes, rather than big ones that could potentially ruin the piece.
I'm bringing more green/blue into the yellow and even in the blooms, for shadow effect. These were the harmonising colours I needed, to tie the piece together.
I'm using "Chilli Red" and "Mauve" as the primary, bloom colours, which contrasts vividly against the white of the Cockatoos.
The plan is to gradually work through the middle and up to the top. It may take me another year or two, to finish, lol. I like being able to put it down, completely forget about it and then revisit when I have the time again. I have it on display in a living area, so I can walk past and see what catches my eye - in a good way or bad.
Wow! What a difference! I liked the original, but....now I can see how wishy-washy it was (sorry, that's being a bit blunt, but...well...). Definitely keep working on the upper half. No wonder they call them 'inktense'. Great effect.
ReplyDeleteI understand the bluntness, because I saw the wishy-washiness, after placing the Inktense over the top too. I didn't understand why the original didn't appease my eye, until applying the new medium. It needed more contrast, as the white of the cockatoos was subtle enough already.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping in. :)