I find it helpful, even essential, to make a road map of where I am going with a botanical painting. This is where I try out my composition ideas and do a tonal study. Here I can freely erase and rearrange without the fear of damaging the delicate surface of my watercolor paper. Once I […]
Clematis ‘Aureolin’, SBA Assignment 5
October 10, 2011 by · 13 Comments
Golden Clematis is one of my favorite vines so I was pleased to see that it had so many blossoms during September and October while I was working on this assignment, the fifth in the SBA course I am taking. I spent more time on composition and a tonal study than I did on the […]
Leaves of Pacific Northwest Natives, SBA Assignment 3
June 27, 2011 by · 9 Comments
This is my Assignment 3 from the Society of Botanical Artists course that I am currently taking. The assignment was to paint eight different leaves, two of which should be colored (other than green) and one should be of a monocotyledon. I found the assignment very challenging but learned a lot. I have a new […]
Longleaf Mahonia, SBA Sketchbook
May 26, 2011 by · 3 Comments
I am doing some graphite values studies in preparation for my next SBA assignment, which is a selection of leaves in watercolor. Longleaf Mahonia, Mahonia nervosa, is a low ground cover common in the forest under Douglas Firs. The evergreen leaves turn bright red in winter. Evergreen Huckleberry, Vaccineum ovatum, is a shrub that has […]
Trillium ovatum, SBA Assignment 2
April 18, 2011 by · 10 Comments
The crisp white blossoms of Trillium seem to promise brighter days to come as they bloom under the dark canopy of Douglas Firs in the forest. Our spring weather here in the Pacific Northwest is usually overcast, and the white blossoms seem to sparkle on the dark forest floor. This is a graphite drawing I […]
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).