Gentle Readers, Thank you so much for visiting and following my blog! I so appreciate your comments, the emails you have sent me and simply that you took time out of your busy day to read my posts. I think of you often and will continue to strive to serve you well in 2016. I […]
Simple Steps to Developing a Palette
November 12, 2015 by · 6 Comments
In my last post, Simple Steps to Choosing a Palette, I talked about a method I use to determine the pigments for my paintings. In this post, I’ll give you an example of how I go about finding the right mix to match the mid-tone of the leaf color using the primary colors in the […]
Getting Started on Vellum
July 9, 2015 by · 2 Comments
“What is vellum anyway?” is a question I hear frequently when showing my paintings, since most of them are on Kelmscott vellum. I thought I would briefly answer that question, and then give some basics on preparing it for painting as a way of introducing you to this material. So what is vellum? Vellum, also […]
Grades of Graphite
September 6, 2014 by · 10 Comments
Using only one grade of pencil in a drawing is akin to using only one color when painting. You can create a beautiful piece with one grade but it is easier to get results, and more fun besides, with a spectrum of grades. I stick to one grade for sketching, but for a botanical study…when […]
Galls and Baubles
August 25, 2014 by · 8 Comments
The galls hung down like baubles on the branches of a Garry Oak tree that I encountered on my walk. I had never seen so many on one tree before, and was entranced by all of the colors, from greenish yellow to beige to burgundy/brown, and sizes from quite small up to one inch (2.5 […]
This blog is about my journey as a botanical artist--what I am learning, what inspires me and what I am currently drawing or painting. My desire is to continually hone my skills to better express my wonder and gratitude for the beauty of the creation around me in the Pacific Northwest (USA).