Lady in the Garden- oil on canvas
"Lady in the Garden" stands as a vibrant homage to the Romanticism period, drawing inspiration from John William Waterhouse's iconic masterpiece, "The Soul of the Rose." Done in traditional oil paints on canvas, this painting reflects a Caribbean adaptation, filled with the vivid hues of our tropical climate and flourishing with local flora.
With a palette bursting with brighter colours and indigenous flowers, "Lady in the Garden" captures the essence of our lush surroundings, infusing the classical elegance of Waterhouse's work with a contemporary Caribbean flair. Serving as one of my earliest pieces in oil painting, this piece marked a significant milestone in my artistic journey, fostering exponential growth and refinement of my skills as a painter. Through this process and the vibrant imagery of this piece, I embarked on a transformative exploration of technique, narrative, and the boundless possibilities of my artistic expression.
The Inspiration and Mood-boarding
The Process
With the foundation set, attention turned to the central figure—the woman—who became the focal point of the painting. Layer by layer, I meticulously perfected her skin tone, applying oils with precision to achieve a lifelike contour and realism. The shawl, adorned with a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours, posed its own challenge, requiring careful blending and draping to convey effortless movement and fluidity.
First image of John William Waterhouse’s “The soul of the rose” done during the romanticism era in high quality oils of that time.
The second image is of my friend who modelled for my piece. Staying true to the original painting, I kept the subject and positioning similar.
Instead of the rose, the flower I chose to focus on in this recreation was a variegated local species or orchid. I carefully selected this as the main flora as it was unique through its variations, the colours were as vibrant as the nature of the Caribbean and it blended and contrasted well with the draped shawl worn by the model.
Embarking on the creation of this painting was a detailed process that began with pencil sketches, gradually evolving into a masterpiece of vibrant hues and intricate details. After transferring the initial sketch onto canvas, I carefully crafted the foundation, starting with a rich blue background and delicately rendered leaves to provide depth and texture.
As the painting took shape, the background came alive with a riot of blossoms, each petal infused with vibrant energy. Attention to detail was key, from the flowing locks of hair to the subtle touches that brought the subject to life. Through the versatile medium of oils, each layer added depth and dimension, culminating in a work of art that embodies the essence of beauty and grace.
