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I have been wanting to do a mostly tonal rose painting, one that is mostly whites. White symbolizes purity, simplicity and perfection (inspiring qualities) and I enjoy the challenge of working with white. I have been musing on a color composition for this one, It has very subtle greens and pinks, but the overall effect  simply white. I think it is best to have a neutral background to let the subtle tints do their work.  To be neutral but not dull I am going to try silver metallic - like a Japanese scroll. At this point the grisaille is complete with some color applied to the right half.

One of the most famous white paintings is James McNeill Whistler's Symphony in White #1.  Whistler painted it to prove his talent to the Art World.  It is all about innovative style and brushwork, a radical painting for its time. Whistler used primarily lead white pigment  limiting his palette and restricting tonal values. Like many of his contemporaries He was influenced by Japanese prints, you can see this in the abstract patterning and flattened form.