Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Watercolor Wildflower Botanicals

I thought I would share with you some of my watercolor art. I still feel like beginner in many ways with some forms of watercolor. But I find that wildflowers are my favorite things to paint. I feel like I understand them more, and really enjoy trying to give them a fair representation. A couple years ago I took a class in watercoloring wildflower botanicals and it gave me a really good start. The teacher gave me some pointers that improved my ability to draw a wildflower, and I got quite excited as I found my drawings blooming in color. I really like drawing and painting them with the actual flower in my hand. I enjoy looking for the subtle variances in color. I love how my ability to see increased as I studied each flower so closely. I am not close to being a professional, as I only have time to do this for fun, so far, but I thought I'd share a few of my paintings with you. I draw first with pencil, then retrace with a Pigma Micron pen. Then I paint. The next thing I need to learn though is how to photograph them in a better way.Balsam Root - From Brewster, Washington
Bride's Bonnet - Jubilee Lake, Oregon
Common Lark spur - North Fork of the Umatilla River, Oregon - Aren't those roots amazing?
Desert Shooting Star - Brewster, WA
Wood Violet - Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA

11 comments:

  1. These are beautiful! Perhaps someday you can pass on some of the things you learned in painting class.

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  2. Your drawings and watercolors are gorgeous! My Hubby has played a little bit with watercolor but has not had time since we've had kids. I hope he will pick it back up again. I'll have to show him your work!

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  3. O my! Elizabeth Joy, these are really great! They would make pretty notecards if you scanned/printed them out! Do you have any of these framed on your walls? You should!

    Jody

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  4. Wow! Those are great! I wish I could have the artistic eye you do.

    When I took my art class in college, Tom E. let me do my projects in the privacy of my room because I was so nervous trying to do them in the eyes of other people.

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  5. Beautiful work!! I like the vivid colors and detailed drawing - those roots are amazing! I second what Hildegard said!

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  6. Those are absolutely beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing them!!

    You might want to visit Lisa at http://thebutterflyfarmer.blogspot.com
    There is some very tragic news.

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  7. You don't look like a beginner to me!

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  8. Beautiful artwork! I'm glad I came back to check your blog even though I haven't been keeping up with the Wildflowers in Winter themes.

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  9. These are amazing Elizabeth Joy! You really have a great talent with flowers. Enjoy...

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  10. Beautiful wildflower watercolors! How did I miss these before? I love them! You are an excellent artist.

    LaTeaDah

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I treasure your comments. Each is like a freshly picked gift of wildflowers to me.