| Most of us have a favourite flower. We plant | | | | notice more about the nuances of colour and the |
| them in our gardens, we buy them at the florist, | | | | way light can affect it.Of course, there are some |
| we are given them as bouquets to celebrate a a | | | | useful techniques which might help you learn |
| birthday, anniversary or to wish us a speedy | | | | flower painting. Many excellent art books have |
| recovery. Unfortunately, most blooms have a | | | | been written about this topic and your bookstore |
| short life. I adore flowers and as an artist, I have | | | | will certainly have several. But be wary of simply |
| learned to preserve something of their essence in | | | | copying another artists' techniques. You may be |
| a flower painting forever. If you have ever | | | | surprised to find that you are less satisfied with |
| wished you could do this with a favourite bloom, | | | | the results than you are with simply observing |
| then read on.Flower painting has a wonderful | | | | your favourite flower and perfecting your vision |
| history. Botanical art has been used to document | | | | of it with each attempt.Try drawing with different |
| numerous species of flowers and plants. There is | | | | materials, have fun and keep all your attempts. |
| something very satisfying and magical about | | | | You will be encouraged to see how your vision |
| painting a flower and preserving just what it was | | | | and skill improves simply by practise. I use pastels, |
| like forever. Of course, flower photographs can | | | | both the soft powdery ones and the deliciously |
| do the same but when you paint you have the | | | | oily variety. I love them because of their beautiful |
| added pleasure of carefully examining the curves | | | | range of colours, from very pale to vibrant hues. |
| and colours of each petal, stamen, stem and leaf. | | | | I can extend this even further by overlaying thin |
| You have to observe the way the light catches | | | | veils of colour, allowing the underneath ones to |
| the flower and use this information to give it a 3D | | | | sing through. Or perhaps you could try |
| presence on your paper. By painting flowers, you | | | | watercolour? This has long been a favourite of |
| get to know them intimately.I would advise | | | | flower painters and botanical artists and for good |
| anyone wanting to start painting to begin with | | | | reason. The way you can allow one luscious colour |
| their favourite flower, no matter how complex it | | | | to randomly bleed into another, just as it does in |
| might seem. By choosing your favourite, you will | | | | nature, is very mouth-watering!As you can tell, I |
| be motivated to try again to render it well. Your | | | | am fanatical about flower painting but I do hope I |
| feelings have a better chance of being | | | | have managed to awaken a little curiosity in you. |
| transferred into your flower painting too. When a | | | | Have a go! What have you to lose?Theresa |
| flower painting makes you gasp, it is because it | | | | Evans is a flower artist. Her flower paintings can |
| initially did the same for the artist and they have | | | | be seen or her website where you can sign up |
| found a way of sharing that with you. It doesn't | | | | for her free e-course on flower painting. She is |
| matter if your attempts aren't perfect. Each time | | | | also available for commissions of a favourite |
| you try you will become more familiar with it's | | | | flower. |
| shape. It will seem easier to paint and you will | | | | |