06-12-2014, 12:52 AM
Thanks for the encouragement guys! The colors of that previous butterfly is actually very off, if you look up Blue Mountain Swallowtail. Since the purpose of that was scientific illustration, it can't pass. So I made a new one, testing new techniques. This is the last time I'm doing this butterfly I think. The oil versions will still finish, in "painterly" style.
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Previous hypothesis: A first layer of lemon yellow to simulate real wing hue. Wing hue is Cerulean with Phthalo for darker areas.
Previous conclusion: A first layer of lemon yellow is indeed needed, for lighting, not hue, and at much, much reduced amount. Cerulean isn't enough.
Hypothesis: A very thin first layer of lemon yellow to emulate shimmering lighting effect. Juxtapose warm and cool blue hues to emulate shimmering effect. Put darker hue first, then layer lighter hue on top. Use all 4 blues with Cobalt as main.
Underlayer: Lemon Yellow, very thin.
Blues: Cobalt, Cerulean, French Ultramarine, Phthalo.
Others: Veridian Green, Ivory Black, Yellow Ocher, Mauve.
Conclusion:Even very thin lemon yellow still shows through, meaning watercolor is more transparent than first thought. Cerulean good for lighter area because it sits well with lemon yellow under layer. The use of all 4 blues emulates the real wing hue better than previous attempt. Unable to determine shimmering is achieved with juxtaposition of warm and cool blues, or if that only works for opaque oil paint.
Blue Mountain Swallowtail:
Thoughts: After testing layering paint on scrap paper, I decided lemon yellow is still needed as first layer to somehow nudge the blue hue in the right direction, and to provide the feel of light that butterfly wings give. Paint and layering order testing should also be done extensively on scrap paper prior to starting actual painting. Much like thumbnail-ing. I'm not a patient person... The idea of using warm and cool blues next to each other came from internet search. I'd never have thought of that on my own, or not for a long long time after many paintings from life later. Research is important, be it internet or the slow leafing of books.
Reference: left = front view; right = angled view.
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Previous hypothesis: A first layer of lemon yellow to simulate real wing hue. Wing hue is Cerulean with Phthalo for darker areas.
Previous conclusion: A first layer of lemon yellow is indeed needed, for lighting, not hue, and at much, much reduced amount. Cerulean isn't enough.
Hypothesis: A very thin first layer of lemon yellow to emulate shimmering lighting effect. Juxtapose warm and cool blue hues to emulate shimmering effect. Put darker hue first, then layer lighter hue on top. Use all 4 blues with Cobalt as main.
Underlayer: Lemon Yellow, very thin.
Blues: Cobalt, Cerulean, French Ultramarine, Phthalo.
Others: Veridian Green, Ivory Black, Yellow Ocher, Mauve.
Conclusion:Even very thin lemon yellow still shows through, meaning watercolor is more transparent than first thought. Cerulean good for lighter area because it sits well with lemon yellow under layer. The use of all 4 blues emulates the real wing hue better than previous attempt. Unable to determine shimmering is achieved with juxtaposition of warm and cool blues, or if that only works for opaque oil paint.
Blue Mountain Swallowtail:
Thoughts: After testing layering paint on scrap paper, I decided lemon yellow is still needed as first layer to somehow nudge the blue hue in the right direction, and to provide the feel of light that butterfly wings give. Paint and layering order testing should also be done extensively on scrap paper prior to starting actual painting. Much like thumbnail-ing. I'm not a patient person... The idea of using warm and cool blues next to each other came from internet search. I'd never have thought of that on my own, or not for a long long time after many paintings from life later. Research is important, be it internet or the slow leafing of books.
Reference: left = front view; right = angled view.