Pure as Lilies

Pure as Lilies

Art Monday Series

Post 11

Post written by Katarina Miletic  Join my Inner Circle

As the title of my painting of a Lily painting suggests – there are not many things as pure as the beauty and the symbolic meaning that this delicate flower holds with so much grace. They have often been the subject of my paintings, and no matter how many colours, shapes and aquarelle techniques I applied – they remain a firm popular with the collectors and friends. And, me too, I hasten to add. Today, my friend, I have chosen to show you two paintings with this very subject.

White Lilies

As an artist, observing and admiring flowers, whether I photograph them or paint them – if they seem more natural in pairs, I do go ahead and challenge the rule of having the single one, or the ‘dominant one’ so prominently in my composition. I frame the picture to show them of equal importance, if from a different angle, for it would seem wrong to me to disturb their natural pairing and reflection of each other.

That was the thinking process behind this painting. As the flowers are white, I wanted to preserve that important brilliance of the watercolour paper, so I didn’t touch it with either water or paint. That really allowed me to reverse engineer the painting, and fill in the negative space of the dark and colourful background – allowing the delicate petals to come to life. There is a lot of light captured this way and it pleases me to have applied a very watery wash to depict the backlit heads of these lilies. Enjoy a closer look and let me know if you have any questions about the technique, just pop it into the comment section and I will make sure to respond to you.

  

Pure as Lilies

This painting represents my style as an artist to the tee. It’s simplicity and balance of the composition, choice of subject (both the painting of the lily, as well as the addition of the fresh lilies in the vase on the mantle), light and crisp nature, exquisite aquarelle paper which feels like silk to paint on – and every area is actually painted with at least two washes of colour. Some of them are so subtle, to preserve the transparency, but I really try and achieve as realistic look as my eye sees.

Although I admire hyperrealism and I can imagine the discipline it takes to achieve all the details – my favourite watercolour is realistic enough that you as the viewer are never in doubt as to what you are looking at. That gives you a chance to enjoy the details, both from far and on taking a closer look, but still preserving the fluid quality of aquarelle painting where the art is the representation of reality and your brain kicks in to add all the other details it needs to complete the picture.

365 Days to Dream Begins TOMORROW!

My dear friend – the wait is almost over.

Starting tomorrow, 10 March 2020, my challenge 365 Days to Dream starts. You can follow it right here, as I’ll be posting 365 consecutive updates on Pure d’esprit blog - as well as continuing with the new, unique blog content unrelated to the challenge.

You can also follow my progress on This is Your Moment podcast, each Sunday. I will keep you informed here when the new episode goes live.

Will YOU be joining me with your challenge? I look forward to connecting with you, cheering you on, sharing wins and inspiration, strategies and resourcefulness, mindset and every step you wish to talk about.

I’m looking forward to it all….

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Remember – You Are Safe Here

This is the sacred place between our souls. Thank you for sharing your visions, dreams and ideas. Your courage to be vulnerably seen will always be respected, and you will be treated with nothing but kindness and compassion. ♡

P.S. One to pin and save for later? You're welcome!