Carolina Wren Nesting Watercolor Painting Demonstration

Though it's just about August and I've already begun painting some fall scenes, here is a May painting just completed. A lovely lady from Canada requested a painting of a wren in Springtime to add to her wren collection. I'm happy to oblige!

Here's how I did this painting - you can click any of the images to see them larger:

Autumn Maple Leaves watercolor painting

OK, so it's mid-summer, but I was doing some leaf paintings, and maple leaves look so nice dressed up in autumn finery. I used a green maple leaf as a template but chose yellows and reds to make the golds and oranges in this piece.

I spattered with some green paint when everything else was painted. I like how this turned out. Definitely not looking to rush summer, though. It will go by all too fast!

The 7"x11" original watercolor on handmade watercolor paper is available for sale in my shop: Autumn Maple Leaves.

Green and Gold Oak Leaves watercolor painting

Gorgeous greens, golds and blues show off a handful of oak leaves in this original watercolor painting.

This type of painting, using real leaves as templates, is so much fun to do and I've often had my students try it. They enjoy it too and no two come out alike. As soon as I have time, I'll make a video to show how I go about it.

What I like about this particular painting is that it can be turned in any direction and still makes an enchanting composition.  Thanks for checking out my newest work - or should I say play?

The 7"x11" original watercolor on handmade watercolor paper is available for sale in my shop: Oak Leaves

Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly on Pink Buddleia Flowers - watercolor painting

All the Buddleia are blooming in my garden. They really live up to their common name of Butterfly Bush. All day, there are various types of butterflies attracted to their sweet-smelling blooms, especially the lovely Tiger Swallowtail. Can't blame them. A heavenly scent wafts from the flowers each time I walk past.

The contrast of the yellow swallowtail against the magenta pink bloom was delightful, so I decided to paint the scene. I used wet-into-wet watercolor washes in the background to keep all that soft and out of focus so the foreground would pop out.  You can maybe see the wet paint dripping from the paper in the demo picture. Click the images to see them enlarged.

The original painting is sold. If you would like to order a print, please contact me. Thanks for stopping by. Have a beautiful day!

Surf at Waimea Bay - Original Oil Painting

Waimea is a beautiful bay on the North Shore of Oahu. Though the water is calm enough for swimming during the summertime, it is famous for its gigantic surf in the winter months and draws expert surfers to test their skill every year.
This 5x7 inch oil painting on panel shows majestic waves crashing in to shore at the end of the bay. A couple of sea birds dip and soar against the colors of the sunset sky.

This painting is sold. Just ask if you'd like a similar one painted just for you.Thanks for stopping by!

Hawaii Seascape Sailboat Yellow Hibiscus Flowers

Have been thinking of Hawaii quite a bit lately. It is just too hot and humid here, how nice it would be to enjoy a more mild climate. I'm sure when winter arrives, I'll be feeling the same.

So, I decided to paint this scene of a sailboat breezing along the south shore of Oahu. I've added Hawaii's state flower, the yellow hibiscus to the foreground.

Ah, it almost makes me feel like I'm there!

This watercolor is sold, but I can paint one just for you or have a print made. Contact me and I'll be happy to help!

Hawaii Seascape Sailboat Yellow Hibiscus Flowers

Have been thinking of Hawaii quite a bit lately. It is just too hot and humid here, how nice it would be to enjoy a more mild climate. I'm sure when winter arrives, I'll be feeling the same.

So, I decided to paint this scene of a sailboat breezing along the south shore of Oahu. I've added Hawaii's state flower, the yellow hibiscus to the foreground.

Ah, it almost makes me feel like I'm there!

This watercolor is sold, but I can paint one just for you or have a print made. Contact me and I'll be happy to help!

Hills of Snow Hydrangea Flowers Watercolor Painting

 

It was another lovely day to paint outdoors and I remembered that those puffy white hydrangeas were just waiting for me to paint them.

So I quickly grabbed a couple of brushes, an 8"x10" sheet of watercolor paper, a small piece of foamcore board to back the paper, my paints, jar of water, small table and a folding chair and went out to the flower garden. I did not even take the time, as I normally do, to tape the watercolor paper to the board, nor did I bring a pencil to sketch the scene first, but dove right in with watercolor.

There is something magical each time a painting develops on a blank sheet of paper or canvas especially with watercolor because of the unpredictable way the colors run together. When you begin with only a vague idea of what the finished painting will be, the wonder increases with each brushstroke.

I hope you enjoy the fresh, spontaneous quality of this painting. The original is sold, but you can contact me if you would like to order a print or a hydrangeas painting done just for you.Thanks for stopping by!

White Hydrangea Flowers Original Watercolor Painting

Back outside to paint again today. I did not have a lot of time before a commitment, so it was a small study, only 3.5 x 5 inches.

This time, I focused on the Annabelle Hydrangeas that are so prettily blooming in the front garden. They are white, but I washed some varying colors into the shadows for interest.  It would be nice to do a larger painting of these pretty flowers from life. If the weather holds, perhaps tomorrow!

Find my original paintings and prints at JanetZeh.Etsy.com.

Hummingbird, Red Bee Balm, Crabapple Tree - Painting Outdoors

It was such a gorgeous day yesterday, that I could not stay inside. All plans for whatever I was GOING to paint went out the window as I headed out the door with paintbrush, palette and watercolor paper to paint in the garden.

The first painting I did yesterday was of the red bee balm blooming by the side of the house. I did not see the hummingbird fly to the flowers, but I heard him buzz by my head. So he was most likely waiting for me to finish the painting and be gone. That's what I did.

The second painting I did was totally unexpected. I'd set up my stuff underneath the crabapple tree and meant to paint the hydrangea flowers blooming in front of me.

However, I had not brought out the umbrella, so there were dappled sunlight and shadows on my paper meaning it would be difficult to see what I was doing. Rather than fight it, I just went with it and painted the shadows on my paper. This is what resulted. Lots of fun, and what a great day!

Diamond Head Crater from Waikiki Beach Hawaii Watercolor Painting

"Diamond Head" watercolor is sold. See more of my tropical paintings for sale

Each day that I was in Hawaii, I rose early just as the sun was coming up and would be outside painting or taking photos as soon as possible. In this painting the early morning sun is just touching the clouds with the palest rosy pink and there are not yet many people about.  Diamond Head crater stands majestically in the distance greeting a new day on the island of Oahu.

African Spoonbill Wading Bird Watercolor Painting

The African Spoonbill is a wading bird found in many parts of Africa. This particular bird, though, I found at the Honolulu Zoo. I was impressed by its stately bearing. The bird and its reflection in the golden pool make a peaceful composition. Almost makes me want to meditate!

African Spoonbills nest in colonies in trees near water. Their long legs are perfect for wading in varying depths of shallow water to find food. With their spoon-like bill which they swing back and forth across the surface of the water, they scoop up small fish, crustaceans and other aquatic life including insects. When they fly, they keep their long necks outstretched.

You can currently find the original painting of African Spoonbill for sale in my Etsy shop, Zehland.Etsy.com.

Pink Peony and Butterfly Watercolor Painting

 

A pink peony is visited by a small black and white butterfly. Peonies don't need extra decoration being quite lovely in their own right, but this pretty insect adds a special touch, alighting for just a moment before it flutters away.

The original watercolor is 5"x7" and is on sale now in my Etsy shop: Pink Peony Flower watercolor painting. Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you enjoy the painting!

White Peony and Butterfly Watercolor Painting

A Red Admiral butterfly alights on a white peony in this new painting. Peonies, though they have complex petals are one of my favorite flowers to paint, especially when they are sunlit as in this piece.

The original watercolor is sold, but you can find more of my flower paintings my Etsy shop, JanetZeh.Etsy.com. Thanks for stopping by!