Photographing Artwork ... Hydrangea

I posted the story of my Hydrangea artwork back in January,see the post here. At the time the painting had already been framed to give to my Mum for Christmas and I could only take a photograph according to the conditions I was presented with - being no flash and behind glass!! Quite tricky....you will see the result above which I think is still quite nice, however has quite a sepia quality to it ....

A good friend offered to take a decent photograph of the artwork, so after getting the painting back from my Mum and removing it from the frame and surrounds, he utilised the natural daylight and best aspect for photographing true colours.

This has not been worked on in Photoshop except for whiting the background, but you can see already the diffference in colour and tone. There are a lot of issues with reproducing artwork in a true representation. You can see from this example a vast difference between the colours! I am yet to look into scanning artwork - there is so much more to the art journey than just paint and paper!

10 comments:

orchidartistJune 12, 2011 at 7:18 AM
I've run into the same situation, with the same results. Photography outdoors, sans frame or glass, seems to be the easiest thing to do!
Konrad la TaccolaJune 12, 2011 at 8:43 AM
I agree with "orchidartist": to take photos of a watercolour (or any other painting) in the open air, although there is still the method to balance the "whites and grays" of a professional camera. The only alternative is a good professional photographer, but it's the "expensive solution"
Sonja WhiteJune 13, 2011 at 5:27 AM
Wonderful to see your hydrangea painting in all it's glory. Your friend did a great job with photographing it. The blue and purple shades of the flower head are gorgeous!
Inky LeavesJune 14, 2011 at 12:12 AM
Agreed - it's a nightmare getting a digital copy that is accurate in colour. I see a man in Farringdon in London - he does my prints for me. It costs £40 for the scanning! But it takes him several hours to get the colours balanced... The tricky bit is when one has painted on coloured paper, like cream.
Lovely Hydrangea! You're pretty good at leaves Vicki - something to be proud of.
Vicki Lee JohnstonJune 14, 2011 at 12:35 AM
Thanks Kathleen, Luca, Sonja and Jess - will check out scanning options and I think they cost about the same here Jess but they want the artwork for a week! Your print of the grapes was lovely - really beautiful quality so it's worth it.
MILLYJune 14, 2011 at 5:44 AM
It was lovely to find your comment, thank you. I have really enjoyed seeing your beautiful work. I understand the issue of finding the time, you must put yourself first, this is very important to you. By doing my weekly page I have a routine, I have managed to find that precious time , the other jobs wait.
Wishing you luck with your course, enjoy it, looking forward seems hard, looking back and seeing what you are achieving is the best part.
Millyx
Joan YJune 16, 2011 at 8:20 PM
Vickie, I have been thoroughly enjoying your artwork on your blog! WOW! (That's what I kept uttering). You're an amazing artist!
Vicki Lee JohnstonJune 16, 2011 at 11:40 PM
Thanks Milly - thanks for your kind comments and encouraging words.
I love the idea of a weekly page, will do my best.
Thanks Joan - really appreciate your comments!
JaneneJune 18, 2011 at 9:21 AM
Vicki, Interesting information about reproducing artwork. You are right, the difference in your two hydrangea copies is remarkable. Btw, you did a marvelous job on the painting. I bet your Mum is thrilled!
Vicki Lee JohnstonJune 19, 2011 at 11:26 PM
Thanks Janene - she was thrilled and I was so happy to give something to her which meant a lot to me. She was my inspiration for painting the hydrangea in the first place - it was always intended for her!