Cosmos in Kitchen Window- Work in Progress

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8"x 6" Oil on RayMar canvas panel.

This painting is a work in progress. A little tweaking is needed in the outside bushes to make them recede into the background. By lightening or graying them and keeping the contrast of colors narrow I think they will fall into the correct plane of vision.

I worked quite a few hours on this more realistic painting to try and capture the coolness of the window sill and the translucent quality of the cosmos blossoms. While painting this subject it occurred to me that I've been drawn to still life set ups with backlighting. The last few pieces have been lit this way and I find it a challenge to capture the dramatic lighting. Although I'll probably work a bit more on this piece, I wanted to post it now because I won't be in my studio tomorrow.

To add a note about the RayMar panel I used, it is new to me and I'm not sure if it will be my final choice for a substrate. I like the light board, and love the white laminated back, but disappointed in the canvas texture. I ordered their smoothest textured cotton canvas for portrait work. The weave is larger than the other canvas ( Fredrix medium textured primed cotton in a pad) I've been using and more absorbent. The panel has been primed three times, but doesn't feel like it. I can always add another coat of gesso or tone the canvas with acrylic to make it less absorbent, but the texture in the canvas itself may still be a problem. I think it is fine for landscapes, but maybe not the very small size still life's I'm doing now. I really must fine a suitable canvas board to work on. The time I'm spending on mounting my own on masonite is ridiculous for my schedule. I'm wanting to find a board that is wood or hardboard if anyone has any suggestions. The RayMar panel is the only one I've tried to date.