“Human subtlety sill never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does nature because in her inventions nothing is lacking, and nothing is superfluous.” Leonardo da Vinci.
Watercolour is a beautiful medium. There are a few basic techniques to learn – each one taking time and patience to master. Allowing oneself to play with the medium will help build confidence and ability.
In this instance I have sketched out two cala lilies – using yellow ochre. I am working on a Saunders and Waterford Hot Pressed – heavy paper. (more about papers at end of blog)
Having sketched the basic image I add ‘juicy paint’ into the negative space. I am using a mix of Daniel Smith Perylene Maroon with Winsor & Newton Winsor Violet and a little Winsor & Newton Cadmium Orange.
When we add paint to the negative space – we automatically reveal the subject…..So often we struggle with a particular element of a painting, when all we need to do is observe the negative space. 
Using very small amounts of pigment I begin to add colour to the flower. For this I use Winsor & Newton Green Gold and a touch of Windsor & Newton Cadmium yellow. For the dark green in stem and shadow I mix some Winsor & Newton Burnt Sienna with a tiny amount of prussian blue and Gold Green.
All whites are dry white paper.
I begin to build depth inside the lily using small amounts of pigment – making sure to leave dry white paper for highlights. 
As I build up the colour I am mindful of bringing the background colours into the Lilies. Everything is connected….nothing is isolated. By moving colour around a painting we bring a sense of harmony and rhythm.
It is important to note, that when we change one fraction of a painting – (no matter what the size) we change the whole. This is true for everything in life. 
The finished watercolour is an observational exercise revealing the subtlety of nature….. and at the same time honing watercolour technique. I hope that there is an element of energy and movement. The most important thing is to PLAY and warm up. This can be done on any paper including newspaper…..The key is to release any fears or anxiety about messing up a good piece of paper. Ultimately this is a freeing up mechanism.
When purchasing watercolour paper – it is measured by weight and surface quality….Cold Pressed for rougher surface. NOT (meaning not hot pressed) is smoother and Hot Pressed is very smooth. My analogy is that using cold pressed is like roller skating and hot pressed like ice skating – NOT is somewhere in the middle.
When we purchase a piece of lb140 weight paper – this simply means that the ream of paper (500 sheets) weighs lb140 – and of course the same applies for all weights. It’s a good idea to purchase a sample pack of papers….and again PLAY.
I hope everyone enjoys a creative weekend….no matter what your medium….and that the magical hummingbirds are with you.
watercolour/gouache
New hummingbird products including some pretty nifty wrist watches in my Zazzle shop.
http://www.zazzle.com/janet+weight+reed+gifts
A Bientôt
Janet, you make it look so easy. You have such a gift. Loved the da Vinci quote. Hugs on the wing.
Hi my dear Teagan….thank you so much for this lovely comment and forgive me for not visiting your blog recently. I seem to be catching up with much but can assure you that I am reading and loving every bit of it:). and thinking of you in your new home…which I would love to know more about. For now I send you lots of magical hummingbirds. Janet :)XXX
Winter in the high desert is much better than winter in DC. 🙂
Glad to hear:)
Delightful images and very interesting to hear your technique. I bet I would love taking a class with you Janet.
It would be wonderful to see you turn up at one of my workshops:)
Indeed!
Stunning work. Thank you for the explanation about paper, I have always find water colour paper myserious. I really liked the way you left the white along the side of the flower and the stalk for light.
Thank you Emma – really appreciate this comment. Watercolour paper is a mystery to many people….it is very important to choose the right weight, etc. I always recommend that people purchase a ‘sample pack’ – to play and experiment with. Ken Bromley has a very good one…. Leaving dry white paper is key in many watercolours.
I used to play about with water colours when I much younger but always got inhibited by “nice paper”, so yours is an excellent suggestion.
When I am PLAYING – I sometimes use newspaper, envelopes anything….and then I go to the good stuff – usually for me lb200 NOT Saunders and Waterford…sometimes lb300.
Beautifully painted and I enjoyed reading your process. I was wondering if sometime you could discuss how you combine watercolor with your guoache paints. I am getting more and more interested in mixed media.
Reblogged this on sketchuniverse and commented:
🐝 HELLO DARLINGS ! LILIES IS THE MOTIF THAT SISTER JANET CHOSE FOR OUR DELIGHT. THANK YOU MY FRIEND.
Thank you so very much for the reblog…always appreciated. Janet :)X
You’re welcome Janet. Your wonderful posts are so reblogable and everybody is glad 😍
Thank you for such a lovely comment:)XX
What a fantastic workshop! I did enjoy it. You had me wanting to get the paint out at ten pm!xxx
I like that:) XXX
thank you
You are most welcome 🙂
What a fantastic art lesson here, Janet. I can imagine how engaging and electrifying your classes must be. I like that you paralleled change in the painting to change in life, i.e. a fraction and the whole. I will think about your lesson in relation to novel writing. A complete delight to be here, Janet, as always.
Thank you so much Jet. There are so many parallels to the creative process and life itself….and indeed to writing. May you enjoy a day filled with inspiration janet :)X
I really liked your tutorial on this painting. I am an aspiring watercolorist, so I appreciate bloggers who share their processes. Thank you.
Good morning Laura…Thank you very much for commenting. Janet 🙂