Watercolour on paper

Signed on the front.

After watching recent dramatic events occur in Sydney recently I needed a break from watching TV, and knew I needed to find something calming to do. It wasn't long before I realised I needed to paint. I didn't have anything in mind and started looking through my reference photos that I intended to paint 'someday'. I didn't really get any further than these sun-drenched poppies and equate them to their meaning as my father had fought in WWII, and I often spoke to returned soldiers when my Dad was in hospital at times. Always wore them on Anzac day, and a favourite Aunt always grew some that were always admired in her well-tended garden.

These amazed me when I saw them so sun-drenched in a garden. I don't remember if they were red or orange. I always put off painting them in the past as I knew they would not be easy, especially the foreground. But knew that this was the one I needed to paint. And you can see from the detail that this took many, many hours/days to paint.

The brilliance of the sun, in particular, made parts of the petals 'see-through almost' And the colours changed across all the blooms. The yellows were almost like the sun's rays had been caught in the petals. Strangely enough, when I went to paint them the yellow paint pooled into a shiny coat, and if you look at this painting in the light, in certain views, the sun seems to beam out from the surface. I could have altered that, but instead, I left it, as I think this is/was destined to be a very special painting.

While my plan was to use transparent watercolours, I ended using a combination. While is it mostly transparent watercolours, I've used gouache (opaque) watercolours to a certain extent - the white highlights, for sure, as I needed a bold white. But when it came to the reflections in the house windows I also added some 'twinkling metallic' watercolours, maybe for no other reason than being fun to do.

While the poppy flower is for remembrance, it certainly is a favourite flower for many to have in their gardens. And was so glad to create this from my reference image, keeping the blooms intact in the garden. And also very glad that I finally got around to painting them. This painting should display well on a wall. A favourite color combination of mine has always been blue and orange.

Offered unframed, but framing to your choice may be available, upon inquiry.
The 'paper' is Arches, cold pressed, made in France. It is 100% rag, gelatine sized. 300gsm (heavy weight). There is no border allowed for framing, but the painting allows for a small overlap with a mat as per framing by a professional framer, and it won't spoil the artwork. Or, for entire image to show, it can be 'float' mounted.
Sent flat, not rolled.

All care is taken to represent my artwork, due to monitors, colour, and also size in interior 'in situ' hanging suggestion, can vary.
Signed on front, and rear, with COA provided.
Available internationally.
Commissioned artworks available, please inquire, I'd be glad to discuss your custom artwork(s).