I usually paint with regular watercolors, but today I tried using Luminarte Twinkling H20s. They've got a wonderful sparkle (it's actually mica) in the paints that gives my pages some extra depth and zing.
This is my subject matter. A protea.
I start, in pencil with a loose sketch.
I inked the 'pollen presenters and style' (see botanical reference here) first, since they are closest to the viewer.
I painted in the center, using a few colors of my twinks (that's what people who use em call them, I'm told). You can see the sparkle!
Here are my pots of color. and below is a video from Marah Johnson on how to prepare and use the paints.
Back to my painting..
This is another type of protea.
My journal pages are composed as I go along. Draw, ink and paint one thing--extra space on the page? Draw, ink and paint something more. Starting with a sketch..
I like it when the image goes off the page...
Look at that sparkle!!
I added the South African flag, because protea are from South Africa (you knew that of course) and finished the page with a little splatter of blue.
Wonderful "tiny tutorial," Jane; I love your work. Thanks for including the video, I learned alot about twinks! I use them, but didn't know much of what Mara shared. Lorie
ReplyDeleteI love the sketch and painting AND seeing the process!
ReplyDeleteThanks do much Jane , I loved this.
ReplyDeleteThat was not a "tiny" tutorial. It was a great big "Helpful" tutorial. Thank you so much.>3
ReplyDeleteThe subject flowers are magnificent. Thanks for the tutorial. It is a big help to be able to see the steps to a finished product.
ReplyDeleteDelicious!
ReplyDeleteGreat "tiny" tutorial.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful artwork... thank you for sharing! :]
I love seeing your work in stages, and being revealed to some of your secrets of sketching, inking and colouring and then continuing on to create such a pretty page. Thanks for sharing Jane!
ReplyDeleteI love Twinks, you did a great job in getting the shimmer in the photo. I adore the sketch too. I'm inspired.
ReplyDeleteoooo that was fun! Love your work and I caught a glimpse of your "art consultants" below...we all need such consultants,,,no wonder your work is so good:)
ReplyDeleteHi Jane,
ReplyDeleteLove this little tutorial. Since I've taken the sketchbook class I know what you are talking about!
Love the when the composition goes off the page, do it with my students a lot.
FAB tutorial! I Am so glad that I discovered you!
Sharon
Just beautiful! Do you grow the proteas yourself? Thank you for the tute. Ambal
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial ~ thank you Jane!
ReplyDeleteJane....nice exotic flower tutorial. I've been using round bead containers for the past three years. They are perfect for instantly altering one's palette. Great also for saving experimental paint samples. You can avoid the bubbles in the paint by squeezing the tube of paint into the container and adding just one or two drops of water and sturing very gently with a dental tool or tooth pick.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tutorial! I like your style a lot. Your new dvd is definitely on my wish list! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jane... Great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI just bought and watched your new DVD (the download version, love the instant gratification!). I love your pen and watercolour sketching technique, I'l be trying it out for this month's "branching out" page in the Sketchbook Project.
Thank you!
Jane this is a superb tutorial; wow I just love it! For a raw beginner learning online to play with watercolours, this tut. is so inspiring, noting 'the steps' you have taken. Had I missed somewhere in my quick appraisal (and meaning to come back), the size of your painting? Would be interested. Thanks again for sharing your wonderful talent with the brush.
ReplyDeletethanks! No, I don't grow the protea, I bought them at a local farmers market. And Carole, these are my sketchbook pages, and 5x7 inches.
ReplyDeleteThis is so fun with the colors...I want to try some right now!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful Jane - I have not done anything like that since high school - I must have a go. Thanks for the inspiration. Sandy
ReplyDeleteThank you - it's fascinating to see how you created this beautiful work. Pat
ReplyDeleteYour tutorial is not tiny. It is full of simple easy steps for complicated subjects, although proteas are not really exotic in australia - grow like weeds lol. Great
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tutorial. The page is delightful and you've made we want to try some sort of watercolor even if not the "twinks" (I use other materials)!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tutorial and video! Have you ever used the Twinks on fabric?
ReplyDelete@Lisa, yes, I've got a project in the works with twinks on fabric. It will be a tutorial for my blog...in two weeks or so. thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove the twinks and your splattering of blue--brilliant!
ReplyDeleteA lovely tutorial that warmed my South African heart :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tutorial for a pincushion protea - it warmed my South African heart :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your tutorials! They are amazing sources of inspiration. Now for me to actually put one into practice! Happy days!
ReplyDelete