A Chilli Reception

Isn’t it funny that just when you think you’ve made a decent picture, fate intervenes and reminds you with the next one that she plays a part in your success too? I bought these chilli plants yesterday and thought that I could paint them in watercolour. Boy, has it been a struggle.

I’ve finished the picture, and although it’s kind of ok, I’m still feeling there’s something missing. I think my issues might have been partly due to the fact that I didn’t have a very clear picture in my head of how I wanted this to look.

First I painted the plants very lightly and sketchily in yellows and pale greens. The little chillies just looked wishy-washy and malformed. I added a darker green, and they still looked unconvincing. They only started to perk up a little bit when I threw in some Windsor Blue, but I feel that even that wasn’t their salvation.

I don’t know. Some you win, some you, well, don’t win so much… But onwards and upwards!