Starting with a line drawing, I masked out the areas that were to remain light or white. I also use the mask to act like a dam between colors like the lavender mountains and the white calla lilies.
The first washes are light; I think of them as place holders and use this first layer to tie things together.
Secondary washes begin to add the mid value shapes.
I have underpainted the pink peonies with a warm orange to make them warmer and more
harmonious with the predominant yellows and greens in the piece.
Finally the darkest darks and the details. Sorry that the sidelight I used from the window for this last photograph shows the undulations of the paper....I did stretch it, but some of the staples hold more firmly than others so I get a little pucker action which I will iron out later.
