Watercolor painting of Japanese Quince on Ampersand Aquabord

"Quince" Watercolor painting on Aquabord

Mid-spring each year, we have a wonderful quince shrub that presents us with a shock of color.  I am always surprised and pleased with the display.  To the point where we have purchased two more quince shrubs.  Interestingly enough, the colors on the two newer plants are quite different from the older original shrub. 

When we are sitting on the deck and see this blaze of reddish orange at the back of the property, you just have to walk over to admire it up close. Careful not to get too close, it is a thorny shrub.  Also somewhat deer resistant which is another reason we acquired two more.

Last year, I completed a quarter sheet watercolor of the quince.  I love how these “vermillion” blooms are highlighted with yellows and yet are contrasted with deep shades of red and scarlet in the shadows. Especially when it is back lit by the sun.  When the smaller watercolor was completed, I was pleased with the painting but thought I did not achieve the overall effect I was striving for. It needed to be bigger so it would present bolder.

This is the smaller original watercolor on Arches 300lb paper

I drew it out once again on a 22 x 30 sheet of Ampersand Aquabord.  The watercolors seem to be more luminous on this material.  And the scale of the painting is large enough to create the “drama” I was striving for.  So, many weeks later, this is the finished result.