23 February 2015

Painted Pansies & Primulas.

At this time of the year Primulas and Pansies can be seen in all
the garden centers. Their colourful heads shouting out
 to be bought and planted to give some instant colour
Whether you choose vibrant colours.
 


or these pastel pinks.


When I first learnt how to paint in watercolour in 2008
I was terrified learning the technique of wet on wet, especially for flowers.
I learnt how to let the paint run along the paper I had just wet,
not realizing that the paint would only run where the paper was wet.
After a few mishaps, I loved what I was able to do, knowing I was in control.
 I continued my painting at home using books I'd bought and one
I borrowed from a friend written by a French artist Maryse de May.

One of her pansy paintings from her book.
She paints in a style I particularly like and fortunately in her book there are lots
of diagrams so I am able to follow the technique and adapt it to my style.



I have seen some of her paintings at an Aquarelle Exhibition which is
 held every year in a small town not far from where I live.
St Yriex Aquarelle Exhibition.
 Exhibitors  come from all over the world.
I have the date set in my agenda, as the previous two years
I arrived on the last day about half an hour before it closed

I used the Maryse de May  'L’aventure avec les fleurs ' book as reference
 and practiced a lot that winter.



I remember only too well, as we had a long cold winter
 so that was when I mastered the way of painting wet on wet.
 At that time, I gave everything I painted to family.Then when I got a bit
 more confident a gave them to friends.This weekend while visiting my daughter
 I asked if she still had the painting of the pansies I had given her.
Well here it is for you to see. (I didn't remember it being this good)
I feel quite proud of myself.



Which has given me the push I needed to get back into painting
instead of just dabbling .
So now my paints and favourite paper are out


 ready and waiting for ME.




I think these Primulas would make make nice painted cards.

These  are still in their plastic pots
but look a lot nicer in these decorative metal holders on a tray
which I've put on the wide window ledge, waiting
 to be planted in the garden when the ground warms up.


I have promised myself and Mr France I will do more painting.
 I'll be showing more frequently 
So if you like to see my sketches / paintings please come back soon.



à bientôt
Barbara Lilian

13 comments:

  1. Oh you are so good! I love the pansies! They are indeed wonderful!
    Nancy

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  2. Wonderful pansies. I am looking forward to seeing more of your paintings.
    A lovely post!

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  3. OH I love looking at your paintings !!! I love watercolors and don't know why I don't use them more often :) Thanks for sharing your lovely art and I look forward to seeing more in the future.

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  4. You should indeed be proud of your painting…it is quite lovely. You should think about entering some of your work at a showing.

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  5. Vos fleurs sont belles , et vos peintures aussi . A bientot pour voire votre beau travaille. Bonne semaine.

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  6. Your watercolors are lovely and I am looking forward to seeing more of your paintings - they would make pretty cards. Pansies and Primroses are fun to paint - I see you have the same flowers in France to paint this time of year that we have in California.
    Have a wonderful day,
    Erin

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  7. wow, that is a wonderful painting of the pansies, Barbara! I like how you blended the purples and yellows together. I haven't been to the garden center yet, but I'm anxious to go this spring and start planting some roses and other flowers. The pansies have always been pretty to me. Oh, I wish you'd keep painting - you are very talented.

    love, ~Sheri

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  8. Your pansies are beautifully painted. Wet on wet is a tricky technique. Enjoy painting and I'll enjoy coming back to admire your work.

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  9. I love your pansies and I'm sure you'll do a lovely job on the primulas. I've got one of Maryse de May's books and I love her style too. I need to learn the patience to wait for the paint to do it's thing instead of messing with it while it's still wet!

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  10. Thank you for all your kind comments, It gives me the encouragement I need.
    Mr France is always telling me NOT to under estimate my talent. Which I find difficult.

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  11. Your artwork is SO lovely. Oh how I long for Spring....it is so cold and snowy here in Chicago!

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  12. Bravo!! The talent is there, Barbara, such beautiful and lush flowers, and the desire! And now you are adding the focus and determination...Something I'm trying to do more of, edging my way slowly back into drawing & painting...

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