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