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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Let's Paint Together The Last Hydrangeas

Welcome. I am so happy that you stopped by. My garden gate is always open for you to come in and sit and relax (have a cup of tea if you are not too hot) while I share inspirations for my art with you. I just cut the last of my hydrangeas and thought it would be fun and a good time for us to paint them together.



Bentley, my helpful Studio Assistant, is ready to show you around.






Finding inspiration . . . .



Here . . . . .





There . . . . . .







Everywhere . . . . .



Close up of previously painted hydrangeas.

We are going to paint a hydrangea Welcome sign. It is my best selling Welcome sign and very easy to paint. I have painted a sample leaf and flower for you to follow. If you still have hydrangeas you can actually trace a leaf to get the feel of the shape. First, paint a dark shape, unless painting with watercolors, paint dark to light. Paint a dark shape first. Next add some white to your dark shape and start developing you flower petals with different shades of blue. The lightest colors will be painted on top of your flower. Note, in the painting above, I painted lavender petals in with the blue petals. If you paint lavender or pink hydrangeas - follow the same technique - paint your dark first and then highlight with light.





I paint on an 8x10 canvas. You can use a canvas, wooden board, or piece of slate. All materials can be purchased at Michael's or Joanne Craft or any craft store.


Here is my rough drawing.




Paint the basket in various shades of brown - use your darkest brown to highlight the vertical weaves in the basket. Fill in the horizontal weave with different shades of brown. Add some white to highlight the weave - I also use some oranges and yellows to give variation to the basket weave. Add a little dark on the bottom of your basket - this will anchor it and will keep it from "floating". Next add a little lavender shadow. I attach a ribbon with screw eye hooks and add a ribbon to hang it with. I then add three coats of satin varnish to protect the finish.








Enjoy your painting.


Thank you for stopping by to visit. I love hearing from you and sincerely appreciate your visits, comments and those who are following my blog. Please let me know if you have any comments or would like to see me paint something special. I regret that I had to turn on my comment moderation because a fraudulent company tried to advertise on my blog by leaving me 73 anonynous comments advertising Ed Hardy Clothing.



Have a lovely week. Blessings, Erin

11 comments:

Terra said...

I have comment moderation too, since it is needed. The welcome sign is charming, and how kind that you show how to paint one.

Susan Freeman said...

Love the tutorial!! Sorry to hear about the commenting issue. I had a similar incident the other day.

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Anna Rosa Designs said...

Hi Erin,
Great Garden, great paintings!
I must have missed your last post, WOW< what a great place you've got set up "painting in the garden, garage and studio"
How very inspirational!
Happy painting,
Hugs,
Anna

Createology said...

Your garden is always breathtakingly beautiful. I love hydrandeas and yours are the most beautiful colors. Bentley is such a sweet soul. Happy painting...

Rhondi said...

Hi Erin
Thanks for the lesson. I am so happy that I have one of your hydrangea paintings of my own! I always love to visit you, and Bentley too. Oh and thanks for the tea. No matter how hot it is I'll always have a cup of tea.
Hugs, Rhondi

Rhondi said...

What color blue did you use?

Tracy said...

Erin, I just have to say:

I love your photos...

I love your cheerful paintings...

and I love Bentley!

Charlotte said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful art. And thank you for your interest in linking to Spiritual Sundays for the special miracle party. To link your post to Spiritual Sundays just do it in the usual way. However, you will notice that the linky will be different this week. We have had so much trouble with Mr. Linky that we will be trying a new way of linking.
Blessings,
Charlotte

lbc flower delivery said...

Great! I also love hydrangeas because it is very colorful. Thanks for the idea. I will try to make something like that this weekend.


-yumi-

*Ulrike* said...

I do love hydrangeas! Thank you for showing this one.

flower Philippines said...

Lovely flowers! Wish I can also arrange beautiful flowers like that. I want to learn how to arrange flowers cause it so interesting. Anyway, I enjoyed reading this post. Thanks for sharing!

toni