Stylized Dahlia by Ken Powers
Ken Powers

Stylized Dahlia by

I wanted to combine elements from a couple of my previous pieces in order to experimentally see how they worked together. I found this background interesting and wanted to see how it played off the pinks and reds I had used for some earlier florals. I used Winsor & Newton watercolor paint in this although it is predominantly Rublev 18th century reproduction watercolor paint on Arches 140# cold pressed paper. I had a bit of a difficult time getting the pinks, reds, and yellows to scan with the proper tonality for the digitized version of the painting. The original is 14″ × 10.25″ in size.

Featured in Painted Florals group in February 2011.

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Tags

watercolor, watercolour, floral, flower, ken, powers, nature, botanical, stylized

Comments

  • JennyArmitage
    JennyArmitageabout 1 year ago

    This is gorgeous Ken. And the background really works—makes your dahlia pop.

  • Thanks Jenny! This was a fun piece!

    – Ken Powers

  • Marsha Elliott
    Marsha Elliottabout 1 year ago

    I agree with Jenny – this is eye-poppin’ at its best! I think you’ve stumbled onto something grand with this new found technique.

  • Thanks Marsha! I figured this combination would be a bit on the eye-popping side!

    – Ken Powers

  • Lora Garcelon
    Lora Garcelonabout 1 year ago

    I like the background, too. I like the warm colors.

  • Thanks Lora!

    – Ken Powers

  • bevmorgan
    bevmorganabout 1 year ago

    Beautifully painted flower and such an effective background, Ken. I think your experiment paid off.

  • Thank you Bev! I appreciate it!

    – Ken Powers

  • FranEvans
    FranEvansabout 1 year ago

    It is stunning, Ken. Just like all the others!!!!!!!

  • Thank you Fran, you are too kind!

    – Ken Powers

  • Linda Callaghan
    Linda Callaghanabout 1 year ago

    the colours work well Ken…beautiful work…

  • Thanks Linda! A little different for me!

    – Ken Powers

  • mttmaliha
    mttmalihaabout 1 year ago

    Beautiful, Ken. I love the lightness of this. I guess that’s not a good word. But you know what I mean. Are the shadows here softer than your usual use of them? Love it

  • Thanks Maureen! I know exactly what you mean when you say lightness! This piece is definitely a departure for me. I love constantly experimenting. I just have to find a way to work the dark shadows into this context…..another experiment perhaps! ;)

    – Ken Powers

  • annieannie
    annieannieabout 1 year ago

    like your style here…first i have seen of your work but am off to browse

  • Thank you very much! I am really all over the place stylistically. I love to experiment with paint!

    – Ken Powers

  • ian osborne
    ian osborneabout 1 year ago

    The deep reds really stand out against that yellow Ken. It works a treat!

  • Thanks Ian! Something a little different!

    – Ken Powers

  • Blended
    Blendedabout 1 year ago


    In Painted Florals!

  • Thank you very much! That is so kind of you!

    – Ken Powers