Looking for a project idea! Bright and Bold Botanical Gardens may be the project for you.

This project was inspired by Suzanne Allard. Here’s her video.

Paint the background

I got a blank sheet of Canson watercolor paper. I painted swatches of orange, pink, and primary yellow. The yellow was too bright. I mixed in pinks and got grays and purples. I kept layering and layering. You can see the fibers lift up from the paper as they say can happen when you layer too much. I use 140lb. paper but I guess you can only layer so much. I still have a beautiful painting.

If at first it doesn’t work, keep going

The next painting session day arrives. The colors were looking muddy. I got out my Basics Liquitex Rose Pink and mixed it with my titanium white. Things were looking better!

I used my favorite Golden Fluid Teal and Prussian Blue. I added a little of that yellow I used for the background to mix a yellow ochre. With the yellow ochre I added pops of sun. I used a Neocolor to draw leaves. I painted my leaves. Then I finished with a pink flower because painting flowers is what I do!

Final Thoughts

I need to paint more green leaves that are outlined with blue. The heart shaped leaf symbolizes exactly how nature makes me feel. Stems are painted better when I loosely hold the brush from midpoint. This gives a little curve in the stem and is more interesting. I like painting patches of paint that blend into one another. Keep in mind what colors will blend well together. I don’t think I’ll do the big circle shapes again.

When in Doubt, Trust the Process

The best part about working with acrylic paint is that you can layer the paint. If something isn’t working out you can layer on another color. I went through at least 3 sessions with this painting. Art takes time, You learn as you paint. Life is like that too. We don’t have all the answers but we move forward. It is exciting when you discover new tools or ways to paint.

I am considering buying a small journal that I can take with me on my walks to sketch flowers. Considering? Dollar Tree has a cute journal. Of course I will. It will be enjoyable to observe the flowers, sketch them, and then paint them when I get back home. I am feeling warm already.

If you decide to watch the video and paint, tag me on Instagram or Pinterest. Or leave a link in the comment section.

With Love, Mireya