Petunias and Swallowtail Watercolor

I need to pull this back out and get it finished.  Someone critiqued that it didn't look grounded and as I studied it I agree I can fix that :))  I just got tired of working on it and put it away.

Trying to get back to some art, cindy :))

WIP: Petunias&Butterfly #3

This picture is showing more glazing

on the Petunias.

WIP: Petunias & Butterfly

WIP:  Purple Petunias & Swallowtail

In this piece, I am adding layers of glazes and 

allowing each layer to dry before adding the next 

layer.  For my purples, I'm mixing Winsor&Newton

French Ultramarine and Alizarin Crimson.

Petunias & Butterfly in Watercolor

Petunias & Butterfly

I'm beginning a new floral composition.  This one was inspired

by my potted purple petunias and a huge Eastern

Tiger Swallowtail.  One day I was gazing out at the

flowers when this big Swallowtail floated down and began

investigating the Petunias :))
After sketching the composition on Arches CP paper, I stretched
the paper and taped it down.  When it was bone dry, I applied masking
fluid where I wanted to preserve the white of the
paper.  Next, I apply an underpainting on the Swallowtail.
I will need to wait until the underpainting is totally dry
before applying more glazes of transparent color.

Yellow Columbines, 8" x 11"

This piece was done using Prismacolor watercolor pencils.

The paper is Daler&Rowney CACHET sketchbook paper.  

The paper is also recycled and has a natural tone to it.

I used my Columbine plant as the reference.

Finished Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Hearts

- watercolor

- 9" x 12"

- Arches Cold-pressed paper

I finally finished the Bleeding Hearts painting.  

Every painting I do is such a huge learning curve

for me because I am self-taught.  I have a vision of 

what I want the painting to be but have to find my way

through each work.  My goal for this painting was 

to do a Botanical Illustration.

WIP: Bleeding Heart Flowers

WIP: Bleeding Heart Flowers

Today I worked on the underpainting of the branch,

stems and leaves.

WIP: Bleeding Heart Flowers

WIP: Bleeding Heart Flowers

WIP: Bleeding Heart Flowers

This is watercolor on Arches 140 lb. Cold Pressed paper.

Valentine's Day inspired me again to try some Bleeding

Heart flowers.  I just love the delicate beauty of these flowers.

Poinsettia Painting is Finished

Poinsettia

Watercolor

Arches 9" x 12"

More progress :-))

WIP: Poinsettia

I'm liking how the New Gamboge underpainting and

disappearing purple are looking after applying my

first wash of Alizarin Crimson to the big leaf.

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WIP:  Poinsettia

Have a Merry Christmas!!

I am applying New Gamboge underpainting...hoping

that the translucent color will give the work a glow.

For the dark highlights I am applying the disappearing

purple technique that I learned from the book:

 Building Brilliant Watercolours by Judy D. Treman.

I found the book at my local library :-))

Work in Progress:  Poinsettia
I'm not sure I will get it done before Christmas but I'm really enjoying working on it.  (between Christmas activities)

Christmas Cardinal

"Christmas Cardinal" 
Watercolor Pencil on Paper
Image Size - 8.5 x 11"

This piece is done by hand with Prismacolor Watercolor

Pencils.  I worked off a photo for the Cardinal.  I used real 

Holly Berry tree branches for my reference for the Holly leaves 

and berries.  While living in Kansas, we had Holly Berry trees 

in the yard.  Also, we had many North American Cardinals 

visiting our feeders.

If you are interested in purchasing prints or greeting cards

of this piece, please visit my Fine Art America page:

 http://fineartamerica.com/featured/christmas-cardinal-cindy-lenker.html

If you are interested in buying the original piece,
email me at:  cindylenker@gmail.com
Paypal preferred.
Original $50