Blue Geranium Drawing
One fine summer day
When the flowers in my garden were all in bloom,
The sun was shining,
Birds were singing,
Cats were sleeping in the yard,
I picked a blossom of a blue
geranium.
In my summer studio,
I carefully placed the flower
On my desk.
Watercolor with Pen and Ink Drawing of a Blue Geranium
Tip
Use floral foam to hold the
Object in place.
Position the flower so that you can see the way the leaves grow from the stem.
Take notice of how the flowers grow from the leaves and how many leaves are there?
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I prefer to use 140lb Watercolor paper. I recommend Acquarello Watercolor Blocks. For smaller paintings, divide the sheet into smaller rectangles. For example, if you have a Watercolor Block that is 9″ x 12″, divide it into two smaller rectangles of 9″ x 6″. Then you can cut it into two smaller paintings that are 5″ x 7″ with a large enough border to tape it onto a board using masking tape. Taping the painting onto a board keeps the paper from curling and buckling when you get it wet.
Start by deciding where to place the center of interest.
Ideally, it should be slightly left or right of the center of the page. Allow space
all around the edge for the border. Then it will be easier to frame.
Lightly sketch the stem, then the leaves, and then sketch the flower with soft pencil.
When are satisfied with the drawing, then out line the pencil with ink. I like a fine tipped ink pen like Koh-I-Noor Technical Pens.
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Let the drawing dry for several hours. Then, erase the pencil with a non-abrasive
eraser. If you start erasing before the paint is dry, you may have unpredictable results.
Now, with watercolors start adding color.
I like to use color straight from the tube or pan instead of mixing several colors together. It is very easy to ruin the color by over mixing, at least in my experience. Vary the strength of the color by adding more water. For painting outside, pan paints are very nice such as the Art Alternatives Pocket Watercolor Set
I applied the lightest green first, then layered more green in the darker areas. It is better is start with a thin layer and add more darker layers. Let the white of the paper show through in the lightest areas.
The same for the colors in the flower, start with the lightest colors and layer more color to darken the shadow areas.
It was a wonderful afternoon!
Recommended Reading
The Watercolor Flower Painter’s A to Z
Painting Flowers in Watercolor with Charles Reid
Watercolour Flower Portraits By Billy Showell
Basic Flower Painting Techniques in Watercolor (Basic Techniques Series)
From North Light Books
Janet Whittle’s Watercolour Flowers: An Inspirational Step-by-Step Guide to Colour and Techniques
By Janet Whittle
Magazines
Watercolor Artist
Watercolor
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