Well, not della Robbia, really. It's just that the aging clementines, with their wonderfully serpentine, twisty, rococco leaves reminded me of a della Robbia garland, so I had to paint them again. I used Kremer paints here, too, but without the extra white, textury paper of the other day, the results are not quite as crisp.
Night before last, Abby slept as D and I subjected ourselves to the nightly news.
Yesterday, I bought some celeriac, which I'll pureé tonight and to which I'll add a little crème fraîche and sea salt and white pepper. It's so interesting-looking that it, too, was pressed into service as a drawing subject, along with some yellow onions. Here I've used a micron pen and my Kremer paints again, with a dash of Winsor and Newton cobalt violet here and there.
I've been resisting the Kremer pigments, but now I see it will be futile. I love your Clementines!
Posted by: Loretta | February 04, 2007 at 09:30 PM
Laura,
Beautiful washes on the celeriac, isn't it amazing the results when experimenting with color? I love the clementines, just the shot of color I need right now. It is -15 again here today and the wind bites so harshly that one cannot be out in the harsh weather for long. Ode to Spring-keep bringing it on! Sweet sleeping Abby... :)
Posted by: Maggie | February 04, 2007 at 11:31 AM
Many thanks for all the celeriac-inspired nice comments! We even got a celeriac poem out of this! There was something about the delicate surface of that vegetable, in combination with its plumpness that called out for pen and wash treatment. Nina, soft press is between hot and cold press in texture. Kate, I used the hot press here, but the regular white kind, not the natural white. Maryam, you've just inspired an acute case of orchard envy! Marly, Moreton says she never wants to write another cookbook---it's insanely labor intensive, she says. Katherine, it is amazing. I'm going to have a look at yours! Again, to all, many thanks for your enthusiasm.
Posted by: Laura | February 03, 2007 at 04:01 PM
you leave me speechless, again.
i hope i can paint like you someday.
Posted by: jenny | February 03, 2007 at 02:36 PM
I am a maniac for your celeriac.
The colors in your celeriac could quell a panic attack.
My mind's eye does The Happy Dance, out and back, for your celeriac.
:-)
Posted by: Lori Witzel | February 03, 2007 at 10:16 AM
I really love your illustrations and paintings of plants, fruits and flowers. These are glorious!!
Posted by: Kisane | February 03, 2007 at 03:53 AM