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Just as I always have several works in progress in my studio, having several paintings in progress during my watercolor workshops enables me to demonstrate different steps in the negative painting process without having the delay of waiting for paint to dry. (In this technique it is very important that the paper be bone-dry between layers in order to not disturb the previously painted layers underneath.) I've since completed two of those works in progress: Poppy Trio and Pair of Poppies.

Poppy Trio

My process works front to back, light to dark. You can see in the first image I have begun by painting around only one petal! The second image shows my progress after two more layers. Can you see them?  Each layer goes a little further into the distance. By the third image, you can see this process can take as many layers as you wish, which can be very time consuming. I think the results are well worth the time and effort. Plus, it's fun! (You can see the finished painting, top.)

Pair of Poppies

Again, you can see my process of working front to back. As the painting nears completion, I sometimes glaze over large sections in order to correct hue, temperature and tonal values. Pair of Poppies and Poppy Trio would make a perfect set as they are both 7" x 7" (unmatted and unframed).

Paint. Love. Repeat.