Friday, May 27, 2011

Inspiration Avenue: green and purple

I've not made much art lately, so when I decided to join this week's Inspiration Avenue challenge, it was mostly because my friend Stephanie at Dragonfly Design Studios was the host.



In order to make a background, I got out my oil pastels and Twinkling H20 watercolors, along with a paintbrush and some 110 lb cardstock. I should have used watercolor paper, but hindsight is always 20/20.


I started by drawing a few circles in the green and purple families from my box of oil pastels. Although I don't show it here, I also smudged oil pastels into the circles.


I used my only two Twinkling H20s that I have for a bit of sparkle on the pages. The idea was the oil pastels would work as a resist, but they weren't as resistant as I had hoped. I'll cut this background into smaller bits and no one will know it was supposed to be a study in resist.


Not to be deterred, I got out my colored pens and drew/colored an image of a tea cup that I glued to the second background. To keep with the circle feel, I used some purple stickers to write a sentiment.

I may have to play some more with this color theme. I love these two colors together, even though the end result wasn't what I pictured it to be in my head when I started. Thanks for the inspiration, Stephanie.

21 thoughtful remarks:

Margaret said...

Also love this combo! the colours 'bounce' off each other so nicely! do more do more Mx

Caterina Giglio said...

awesome!! you really had fun and it shows! xo

peggy gatto said...

I loved seeing the process!!!
So pretty!

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Funny how what's in your head when you start and what comes through you hands in the end are not always the same.....somethimes, it is even better.

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Well, I'm excited....this is the first time I have been able to make Blogger comments work ALL WEEK! So, I'm pushing it and trying TWICE!

Terri Kahrs said...

Elizabeth, don't you just LOVE those Twinkling H2Os?!?! After seeing your pretty piece, I'll have to drag them out of hiding and put them to use! Happy Weekend! Hugs, Terri xoxox

gma said...

Twinkling H2O's are my fav to add shine to a piece. Yes Purple and green are awesome together. Great that you know you can change this at a later date if you want.
Art evoles ...Love it.

Anonymous said...

Lovely, I especially like the teacup. Those colors are so often found together in nature. I always think of a lavendar plant when I see them together

Darla - still "anon" tho I see Blogger fixed some people

Helen said...

Love the colours you used!

Gez Butterworth said...

Beautiful colours Elizabeth they do look great together & your cup looks amazing.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.xx

Steph said...

love this combo..looks like you had good fun!!

~*~Patty S said...

the colors are stunning together Elizabeth and your tea cup really speaks to me too!
oxo

Priti Lisa said...

I think the sentiment is perfect, Elizabeth...it's usually tea for 1 around here. You did a wonderful job with the challenge...I am still struggling to begin...color challenges are always...well, a challenge for me ☺
♥♥

Lynn Cohen said...

Looks like fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Purple!

Unknown said...

I LOVE this- so very cool! Also, thanks as always for sharing the process!

Carola Bartz said...

Elizabeth, I love the way your painting turned out - those two colors look very delicious. My experience with oil pastels is very limited, it's a medium that I definitely need to explore more. Good to see you back, btw.

sandra de said...

It looks like you had fun just playing with the colours. I like your idea of using pieces in other artwork nothing goes to waste. The tornado photos were scary. Those poor people having to put the lives back in some sort of order after such devastation.

artangel said...

This is great - the colour contrast is really striking and your background is lovely. I've used oil pastels as a resist before - as this shows you can get some lovely results! x

Theresa MacNaughton said...

This is beautiful! You did a really great job with this. Love the color combination! :)

Victoria said...

Fabulous...magical and super gorgeous work!! Shine on!
Victoria

Kat W said...

Ooh I love the pretty effects you created using the different mediums and colour combinations. Thanks also for sharing the process. I like the tea for 1 - would make a good kitchen/dining room picture to hang on the wall!

Kat X