Energy

Artist's comment: When I shoot reference photos particularly for florals, I am often not interested in the plant itself, or even the flower, but a more intimate view. My interest in this subject was focused on the shadows cast across the petals by the spiky fingers of the flower's center. I had previously attempted this painting on regular pastel paper and was unable to develop it to the point I wanted before the tooth of the paper was filled. I attempted it again with sanded paper and was successful in building up the many layers necessary to get the subtle gradations of tone in the petals.

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