Diana Persson Watercolours
  • Home
  • About
    • About Diana
    • Artist's Statement
  • Art Works
  • Events
  • Shop
    • Greeting Cards
    • Pet Portraits
  • Blog
  • Contact

8) Mixing Silver Paint (what colour is 'silver'?)

5/12/2015

5 Comments

 
Picture
Party of Five - Watercolour, 13"x17"
I sometimes get asked, "why do you paint cutlery?'" and my answer is simply - "I love it!  The concave and convex of spoons, the shadows cast by the tines of a fork, the patterns and floral designs on the handles, the patina and wear seen in old pieces and of course, the shine and the reflections! In a grouping the pieces form interesting negative shapes and fascinating shadows. But the most exciting challenge for me is making them look 'silver'. The bad news: If you're wanting to use 'ordinary' colours on your watercolour palette to mix a silver that is shiny and reflects, you can't. You can't really even use a metallic pigment to cheat your way to the silver look.  My feeling is it would still look quite dull and lifeless. 

So how does one go about painting a silver object? Mix black and white? Not exactly. Think of what colours you would start with to paint a mirror, because that's pretty much what you are doing. Someone commented on painting a mirror:  "I once set up a full length mirror next to my easel to try that. I was beside myself." 
The question might be better asked (and thus in the question is the answer), "How do I paint reflections?"
because that is what silver is. Whatever the surrounding environment is, there lies the clue to what will be observed in the object...really...that simple, and yet...that challenging. There is no magic answer in a particular mix of paints because it is always dependent on other elements. It's all about light and reflections. The answer is really to look closely, and paint the shapes and colours you see. 
Picture
It's best to paint from a photograph too, because the light and reflections will be changing with the time of day, so your object will actually never be quite the same. When you take the photo, take note of the objects in the room like curtains, windows and furniture because all of that will affect the colours in your silver. Even the clothes you are wearing will show up. You can control a lot of these elements to tailor your picture to exactly what you want. Setting up silverware for photographing can be quite a process. For this one I hung the pieces with yarn - tied to a wire cooling rack that was taped to the light above the dining room table!

Picture
I'm not alone in this madness. The fascination for painting silverware has existed for centuries and can be seen particularly in many of the 17th century Dutch painters' works. Here is Willem Claesz Heda's "Ham & Silverware" - 1649.

It's like a silver piece has its own moods and expressions, and how it behaves depends on what surrounds it. Interpreting these things is a delight for me, and is an excellent example of finding beauty in simple things! 

Picture
Silver Stories - Watercolour, 13"x19"
Besides, I am essentially a homemaker living a simple life in the country, and I am often in the kitchen surrounded by dishes. There should be no wondering. So I think this answers why in the world I paint my flatware, and all that's left to do is to encourage you also to go ahead and play with your spoon!
Cheers,
Picture
5 Comments
linnie
5/12/2015 06:31:15 am

I just love your explanations.
You make yourself sound so ordinary, but that definitely isn't the case! I admire your creations!

Reply
Douglas Bates
5/12/2015 06:53:04 am

In unison with Lynette. great stuff Di!

Reply
Suzanna
5/13/2015 01:16:07 am

Beside myself - indeed. I do love your silverware paintings! You do paint what you see, and you see magic.

Reply
Louise
5/13/2015 11:41:16 pm

To see the world as you see it must truely be a wonderous sight!

Reply
Diana Persson
5/14/2015 11:20:51 pm

The way I see things started with making a choice, which became a decision, and then became a habit. It took practice. There's hope for everyone!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Diana Persson

    I am a watercolour painter, a wife, a mother, a homemaker and a gardener, and baker in no particular order - more like all at once! I live by the ocean in Mill Bay, Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada. 

    Categories

    All
    Birds
    Gardening
    Inspiration
    Painting


    Archives

    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015


    Interest

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture


    Videos

    Picture
    Picture
HOME
ABOUT
ART WORKS
EVENTS
BLOG
SHOP
CONTACT

Copyright on all site content & images -  Diana Persson - 2017