Hollyhocks

https://youtu.be/71JuD6wCCr0

Impasto Painting

Impasto painting uses thick application of paint to give extra dimension to the surface of the painting.  Often the individual strokes of the brush or knife can be seen.  This imparts energy and dimension to the art work.  The paint can be mixed on the surface of the painting, and wonderful color effects can be achieved by using strokes of different colors.

Abstract Shapes in Background

I liked the abstract shapes in the background formed by the shapes of the canisters, stove and sink.  I kept them very undefined and emphasized the warm and cool relationships in the darks and used the large dark shape to emphasize the rose of Sharon.  I introduced some of the colors in the flowers into the grey areas.  I also created passage from the positive shape of the flower to the negative shapes of the background.  Notice the lost edges where the value of the flower is the same as the background.  These passages give the painting a looser look and keep the shapes from looking cut out and pasted down.