My first watercolour effort
Yesterday I went back to my botanical drawing course having missed the last 2 weeks. I nly started back in October so am still really out of my depth and havent used watercolour before.
This week I finished off a painting I had started 3 weeks ago. It was so my tutor could demonstrate wet on wet. But for me it was a chance to get to grips with using watercolour. After the first 45 mins I finally relaxed and started to enjoy it again.
I am really pleased with my result (above) – obviously the one I painted is much larged than the real leaf but its a start. Next week I have to take an interesting piece of fruit or veg so he can show me how to make things appear 3D.
Beautiful works! You should be very proud. I’ve really enjoyed looking at your botanical art.
Very impressive if you haven’t used watercolour before!
To see a wide range of techniques from over the centuries, you should come to the Watercolours Fair in London next February: http://watercoloursfair.com
Helen, you definitely have a talent here. ‘Keep on exploring it’ is all I can say. My wife Pam is a botanical illustrator, in watercolours mostly, and despite all her experience she still sees herself as a student who learns more about it all the time. It’s a beautiful artform and I am sure you’ll get a lot out of it.
Lovely-I adore botanical painting and have taken three courses now. Beware it can become a bit of an addiction;-)
A great first attempt Helen ! Using watercolours is a challenge especially when you are painting detail. Hope that you enjoy the next task. Wonder what you have in mind as your subject
I’m amazed! I had to enlarge the picture to see which was the real leaf and even then I wasn’t sure. A fantastic effort
Helen .. I have missed a lot in the last few weeks and this is one of the events I wish I had seen sooner !
My goodness it is BEAUTIFUL !! I wish I had your talent : ) I hope to see more and I will back track to see what I have missed : )
Well done girl !
Joy : )
When I first saw the picture I thought it was two sets of leaves. It took a second look to realize which was the watercolor. You are really talented!!
Wow. I had to click to enlarge your photo before i was sure which was which. – Oh, i’m not the first to say that. What a beautiful leaf to choose, too. :0)
Oh this is a lovely blog. I have avoided it a few times because I find it difficult to read pale on dark but today, I don’t know why, I came here and saw your painting. It’s something I have always wanted to do – further my art from school – you have inspired me and you ought to know that. I thank you and your painting is lovely – watercolours eek!
Gosh Helen what a lovely watercolour you must be pleased with yourself.
Beautiful and so realistic! Hope to more soon.
Just lovely. I wish I had your talent and your patience. Give me a piece of charcoal or art pencils and I can draw. But I always ruin anything I try to colour or paint
.
Thank you for your compliments. I have been a little afraid of trying water colour as I didnt think I was neat enough but so far it hasnt been too bad although I am having to work hard at neat and tidy!
Bought turnips, peppers and pears for next weeks lesson.
Wow! At first, I thought this was a photo of two sets of leaves, as I see others did, too. The way I was able to tell which was the watercolor was because you said it was larger. Awesome work!
Oh, and I read your GBBD post, too. I grew bidens, I think, for the first time this year. I hope they come back from seed.
Amazing for a — judging only by your title — first effort. My guess is that you are gifted and already skilled in other media. Congratulations on the happy results.
You really have a talent, Helen. Lovely watercolour. As others have said, I had to do a double take to realise one was a painting.
Just having a bee break and catching up.. and here is your beautiful watercolour! What a fabtastic start, I wish my first waterclour had been half so good! Beautifully handled and sensitive.. so glad you are enjoying the course, he sounds a good tutor!