Tulipa 'Talitha'

This is the first stage of my Tulipa 'Talitha' Watercolour and Gouache painting. The drawing is based on photographs taken at the Keukenhof Gardens in Holland. The gardens are beautiful, so many tulips to paint. I particularly love the fringed group of tulips. They look spectacular with their stunning fringes. 

I like to draw everything out before I start painting. I am using Langton NOT (cold pressed) 200lb watercolour paper. When I have drawn out my chosen composition I always take a tracing of it. I keep it for my records, and in case I have to start again. 

Next week I will start painting.

New Idea for Prints

All my print prices now include professional mounts and frames, and postage and packaging. 

I have been selling prints on my website for a couple of years now, they were sold just as they were -  unframed and mounted and posted in envelopes. Customers have told me that they find it quite difficult to find a framer, and are unsure about which mounts and frames match my work.

When I first started painting I would frame my own work, I soon realised that it was harder than you might think to choose the right mounting board and frame for a certain piece of work. I had many disasters. I decided a professional was needed. I get all my paintings and prints framed at a Professional Framers now.

So, no more worry about which frame and mount work well. It is all taken care of. Postage and Packaging is also included in the prices. Check out my prints here.    

This is a photograph of my first painting of grass and raindrops in watercolour and gouache, painted in 2007. It was painted from photographs I took. I had been out for a walk when it started to rain. I thought the grass just looked so beautiful covered with raindrops. It was sold to a private buyer. 

Man-eating plant

This is a photo of the stage scenery of the Clwyd Theatre in Wales at the weekend.

We went to see the 'Little Shop of Horrors' on Halloween night. The musical was brilliant, the singing and dancing superb, but the star of the show was the man-eating plant. It could sing and dance and eat people, and grow flowers. What a performance. Wonderful musical for a botanical artist. Now should I try a botanical painting?

Autumn at Orchard Hotel

This is a photograph of trees in the grounds of the Orchard Hotel, in Nottingham. Mike and I attended the British Fantasy Con for the weekend. It is a convention for Fantasy Writers, Publishers and Agents. I always pick up a lot of useful information from the Cons. Writing and Art are very similar businesses with the same sort of challenges.

In one of the quieter moments I managed to get outside and photograph lots of autumn leaves, I have more material for paintings. 

Viburnum davidii

The fruits of Viburnum davidii really are the most astonishing metallic blue. The leaves have three distinct veins. This watercolour and gouache painting was based on sketches and photographs taken at Ness Botanic Gardens.

The original painting sold at the Society of Botanical Artists 'Botanical Celebration' exhibition in London at Westminster Central Hall.

Autumn Sparkle

This time of year whenever I go out for a walk, I come back home with acorns and conkers in my pockets. I cannot help myself. If I see them lying on the ground I have to pick them up. I have a nature tray at home were I deposit my goodies for further study. 

Unfortunately I cannot pick up all the leaves, but I love taking photos and painting them, this painting of Autumn Leaves has a small amount of water on it to add I little sparkle.