Tessa Spanton SWA Artist, tutor, writer



TESSA SPANTON SWA ARTIST, WRITER AND TUTOR

Welcome to my blog.
This is where I write about some of the things that inspire my work,
news of exhibitions and works in progress

Tuesday 2 February 2010

Silk Painting


Canna Durban silk painting
(c) the artist

I first bought a small plant of Canna Durban from the Hampton Court Palace flower show. That was several years ago and the plant has grown and spread and been shared with friends. I grow it in pots and so far it has coped with winter frosts and regrows in the Spring provided it is kept close to the house. I have done several paintings on silk of this flower. First I make several pencil drawings of the leaves and flowers at different stages and take some photos. I like the way the sun shines through the petals and the orange colour glows against the background of a beech hedge. Silk paints produce strong and vibrant colours and the silk itself lends a quality to the colour that I do not seem to be able to get on watercolour paper. Silk is ideal for painting flowers on as the silk fibres act like mini prisms that refract the light and give silk its petal like sheen.

9 comments:

Zuda Gay Pease said...

It is just beautiful!! I really does look like light is coming from within. :)

Nuvofelt said...

Tessa, this is quite beautiful.

Welcome to blogland. You are now fully qualified... ;0)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful painting Tessa.

BHB Kidstyle said...

Wow, just "opened" and already 2 posts!!!!
I love your silk painted flower. It was obviously good investment if it inspired you lots of times.:)

BHB Kidstyle said...

Wow, just "opened" and already 2 posts!!!!
I love your silk painted flower. It was obviously good investment if it inspired you lots of times.:)

Kim van Waardenburg said...

Oh I love flowers so much! You have captured this Canna very well! My dream is to visit the Chelsea flowershow once...

congrats with your blog!

Julie G. said...

beautiful. :)

Colours and Textures said...

Thank you for your lovely comments and welcome to blogland!
Vilt a la Kim, the Chelsea Flower Show is my favourite flower show. I do hope you can go sometime.

Dena said...

WOW! Gorgeous painting!