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.