WIP, Peonies, and Disappointment.

You know, sometimes as artists, we have a clear vision in our heads, and then the canvas has other plans! That's exactly what happened with my latest project, which features these lovely stylized peonies alongside what I affectionately (or perhaps, grudgingly) call my 'puddle art' experiment. I shared a video of the work in progress recently, and while I’m absolutely thrilled with how the peonies turned out, the 'leaves in a dark puddle' section presented quite the challenge. When I mentioned 'puddle art' in this context, I wasn't just talking about a literal puddle on the ground. For this piece, I was aiming for a reflective, almost submerged quality for the leaves – like they were gently resting on a dark, still water surface. I wanted that rich, deep shadow and the subtle distortion you see in calm water, where light plays across the surface. The peonies, on the other hand, were a joy to create. I opted for a stylized approach, focusing on their elegant forms and vibrant, soft hues rather than hyperrealism. Building up the layers with delicate washes, each petal seemed to unfurl beautifully, achieving exactly the dreamy, natural feel I envisioned. But then came the 'puddle.' My vision was to create a sense of depth and mystery around the leaves, using darker tones to mimic water. I experimented with layering thin washes of paint, hoping for that translucent yet deep effect that water provides. I tried various shades of indigo, Payne's gray, and even a touch of deep forest green, building up the layers carefully. The idea was to have the leaves peek through, slightly softened by the 'water,' suggesting they were partially submerged or reflected in a dark pool. However, what I ended up with felt… heavy. Instead of a delicate, shimmering puddle, it started to look dense and almost murky. The leaves lost their crispness, and the dark tones I used, instead of creating transparency, seemed to swallow some of the vibrancy and definition I wanted to retain. It wasn’t quite the ethereal, reflective surface I had imagined; it leaned more towards a 'dark blob' than a 'dark puddle'! It’s funny how a single element can shift your entire perception of a piece. While I'm genuinely thrilled with the stylized peonies – their form and color just sing to me – the 'puddle' part became a source of minor artistic frustration. You put so much effort into a concept, and when it doesn't quite translate, it can be a bit deflating. That's the 'disappointment' I mentioned in my original post. It’s not a failure, but definitely a huge learning curve! This experience, though, has been incredibly valuable. It reminded me that sometimes, less is more when trying to convey a watery effect. Perhaps a lighter touch, or experimenting with different mediums to achieve transparency, would have yielded a better result. I also realized the importance of stepping away and coming back with fresh eyes, or even taking a photo to see it from a different perspective – sometimes a digital view highlights issues you miss up close. For anyone else venturing into experimental techniques like creating a 'puddle' effect, my advice would be: don't be afraid to try, but also be prepared to adapt. Think about the transparency of your paints, the layering, and how light interacts with your imagined surface. Consider using glazes or even incorporating actual reflective elements if you want a more pronounced shimmer. And remember, every 'disappointment' is just a step towards refining your technique! Despite the mixed feelings on the 'puddle,' the journey of creating this piece was still incredibly rewarding. It’s all part of the artistic process, right? Learning what works, what doesn't, and pushing your boundaries. I’d love to hear if any of you have experimented with similar 'watery' effects or dealt with a specific part of a painting not turning out as planned. What were your challenges, and what did you learn? Let’s share our WIP struggles and triumphs!