FanKi the earlier picture was taken out doors on a bright day, the current photo was taken in my room after dark, so that is why the second photo looks so much darker. The wash I put on the roses undid a lot of the contrast I had developed between the light side of the rose and the dark side. I like the deep color it produced but I need that contrast back.
@WFMartin can you tell me how to avoid having the wash from taking away the contrast? Was my wash too thick you think? Should I have mixed in some white in my wash for the lighter side? Your flowers are so perfect I'm thinking you know the answer. Any other oil painters want to chime in please do. I really want to find the answer to this because I've had this happen before and I'm starting this composition on a larger canvas (30x40 in) and want to get it right.