Flowers Are Hard To Paint

I was a bit distracted tonight so my painting session was short, only a half hour, but it took me much less time than that to exclaim during the painting “Flowers are hard to paint!”

I’m not sure where I read it but John Singer Sargent said something to the effect that if an artist wanted to get some in depth oil painting training than he/she should paint flowers. I agree, each little flower is packed with subtle shapes, values and hues.

So, not much painting done tonight but I have a bit more respect for flowers and a realization that I should include them more often in my still life paintings.

Speaking of Sargent, here is a wonderful article, and long, post with every detail you would ever want to know about one of his most famous works.