Chinese Lanterns!

I have been inspired to do the chinese lanterns that I found in Chinatown in Lost Angeles.

I want to do a large painting of these beautiful, colorful, airy lanterns ... but before I can do it-- I need to do some homework.

So, I did a smaller painting-- a maquette-- of the lanterns.

This allows me to figure out "how" to paint them. What pigments to use.. how to postition the colors...etc for maximum effectiveness.

I struggle with value ...so it's also a way for me to correct the value and color harmonies. When I begin the larger painting-- many of the struggles will have been addressed -- and I will paint with broader and bolder simplicity!

Lanterns

watercolor

15" h x 22" w

2011