Interesting fact about Indian Yellow used for "Yellow Roses"

#art history
One of the colours I used for my yellow roses oil painting was Indian Yellow.
This is a wonderful rich yellow - reminiscent of curry!

palette for the painting of yellow roses which included Indian Yellow

 

Indian yellow came to England in 1786 and its method of production was kept secret.  No surprise why, as it was made by heating the urine of cows fed on mango leaves (nothing else)!
The poor cows wasted away because of their diet. The method became public in the late 19th century. It was subsequently stopped in 1908.

A great way to get over health and safety when I taught regular watercolour classes was to relate this tale.  Those that sucked their paint brushes to get a nice point soon stopped!!!!

Inspiration for the next painting

 A chilly walk on #Alnmouth beach #Northumberland has inspired me to do a new sea painting based on one of these photos. Which one though!!

Latest oil painting of yellow roses

Hoorah finally finished after tweeking, agonising over the bee and the ladybirds and at last being happy with the finished masterpiece!!!!!!!!!

www.pamvardyart.co.uk

Commissions taken for any similar paintings. Deep block canvas, painted round the sides.  Size - 24" x 30" .  Rather fancy doing one of wild roses - pale pink and maybe a dragonfly next time.

Watercolour workshop

Angie, a complete beginner, with her painting we achieved in a one day workshop.  She brought her first attempt that she had done at home.  See the difference! Didn't she do well! Angie learnt how to do skies, distance and foreground, using different techniques including wet in wet.

  

A great fun day and she and her husband bought this painting:

www.pamvardyart.co.uk   

 



A job well done!!!

Painting workshops

Wow! two posts in one day, on a roll!!

Full day watercolour workshop on Tuesday, 15th November - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
A couple of spaces available.  Beginners particularly welcome. No need to be
fearful - you'll enjoy it!  Light lunch and refreshments included.  More details
on my website - www.pamvardyart.co.uk on the Painting Lessons page and
details of how to contact me. A really enjoyable day, learn a lot, laugh a lot and have fun! 

Winter is here - more snow pictures to paint.

More winter paintings to come - I LOVE snow!  Some more like this!

 

 

Inspired by winter and the coming full moon!

A new watercolour painting ready to frame

The latest watercolour painting completed.  "Bamburgh Castle Evening sunset".  This was achieved by several layers of washes.  I've suffered from painter's block since!  Perhaps it is the uncertainty of the political climate at the moment which has dampened my creativity, not to mention the awful weather! The garden beckons and is wanting attention, but I'm not inclined to comply!!