Flower Market, Provence, France – two step-by-step paintings

Flower Market, Jardin du Sur, Uzes, Provence, France. 16 x 20 on red-toned canvas panel. Kit Miracle This shows the final painting. I have sharpened some of the details and added more. I deliberately did not concentrate on the white labels for the flower pots as I thought they would be too distracting. Overall, I like the painting but it seems a bit busy.

Small Flower Market, Uzes, Provence, France. 16 x 12. Kit Miracle Final painting. I like the way the path leads the eye to the main figures. Plenty of color but it works for the subject.

These two paintings are basically of the same scene in Uzes, Provence, France. They were from a biking trip that I took there several years ago. It was a very hot day and I spent several hours there. The paintings are created from sketches and photos.

The first painting is done on a red-toned 16 x 20 canvas panel and includes a broader scene with more people and flowers. When I finished, I wasn’t quite happy with it as it seemed too busy.

Flower Market – 1 Here you see the initial outlines of the painting on the red-toned canvas panel. I started with the background sky and started working my way forward. If you have never tried a toned canvas, it can be distracting at first, but the final results add a lot to the painting with bits of color peeking through.

Flower Market – step 2. Adding more color and blocking in larger areas.

Flower Market – step 3. Adding more detail. Now you can see the figures and where the painting is headed.

Flower Market – step 4. More colors and the entire canvas is covered now. Just need to deepen the shadows and add the highlights.

The second painting is done on a stretched canvas which I toned to a bright fuchsia color. It was 16 x 12 and I painted the edges in black for display purposes. This means the canvas can be displayed without a frame. To preserve the black edging, I covered the dried black paint with painter’s tape which I removed when the painting was finished.

Canvas for Small Flower Market. I have painted the edges black and, when dry, covered them in painter’s tape to protect them from the rest of the painting.

Small Flower Market, step 2. Canvas toned in fuchsia!

Small Flower Market, step 3. Blocking in the main shapes.

Small Flower Market, step 4. More blocking in shapes.

Small Flower Market, step 5. Most of the canvas is covered now.

Small Flower Market, Uzes, Provence, France. 16 x 12. Kit Miracle Final painting. I like the way the path leads the eye to the main figures. Plenty of color but it works for the subject.

Personally, I think I like the simplicity of the second painting better? Which do you prefer?