The Bobolink - Watercolor Painting

Even though I've heard of Bobolinks, I had never actually seen one in its summer colors until the other day. Boblinks are small songbirds - members of the blackbird family - that dwell in the Northern parts of the US which is where I live. The other day I took a very long walk and went by a favorite field of mine. At this time of year, it is lined with bright orange daylilies growing wild by the side of the road. Suddenly a bird flew down and landed on the barbed wire fence right nearby. It was singing such a lovely melodic tune as it swooped to its landing place. I was stunned to see it's bright white back and dark black color and a light cap on the back of its head. Its golden brown mate swooped to the fence as well.
I had no idea what these birds were! So upon arriving home an hour later, I looked them up. Now I know. The male bobolink which is so stunning in the summertime looks very much like the plainer female in the winter. At that time they migrate to South America. I just had to do a painting of my memory of the scene. Hope you like it.

• The original has been sold, but check my Etsy shop for more of my bird art. Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Pink Rugosa Roses watercolor painting

The rugosas blooming right outside my front door just keep begging to be painted. They are so pretty this year! Each time I paint them, it is a new experience. The last rugosa rose painting was a botanical. This one is done using the limited three color palette which makes a soft rose color for the petals.  I think it works pretty well for these, don't you?

• The fine art print, Pink Rugosa Roses, is available in my Etsy shop. Thank you for stopping by today!

Sundrops Evening Primrose Watercolor Painting

Though these are often called Evening Primrose, Sundrops bloom brightly from morning until late afternoon while Evening Primrose is the wild version that blooms late in the day.

Whenever I paint Sundrops, I must be sure to start early or else they will close up on me before my eyes! With their bright yellow cupped flowers they remind me of large buttercups.

• TYou can get the print at Prints.ZehOriginalArt.com in the botanical section. Thanks for stopping by today!

Wild Daisies Botanical Painting - Chrysanthemum leucanthemum

Wild daisies are popping up everywhere and they were begging to be painted!

I always leave the wild daisies that I see growing on the edges of the lawn. It's good for the butterflies and bees to have some native wild flowers in addition to whatever has been planted in the garden.
For this piece, I clipped a few to bring into the studio to paint.

Virgin Islands Seascape Oil Painting Demonstration - Tranquil Sea

Welcome to my studio at Zeh Original Art. Today we will have a demonstration of an oil seascape painting on panel.

Painting water is one of my favorite things, whether it is the surf crashing onto the shore or a quiet harbor on a lake. If you are fortunate enough to live near the ocean or a lake or close enough to visit, you know the relaxing qualities of listening to the sounds of waves. Even if you don't, a painting can bring you there.
In this piece, I've chosen to paint a peaceful scene just as the sun is beginning to set casting a soft, rosy glow on the clouds and ocean surface. Come see how this painting is developed:

Calla Lilies watercolor painting

Some friends of mine grow these beautiful flowers. One grows white calla lilies in the garden. The other grows yellow lilies in a pot.  I decided to paint white flowers this time, but perhaps will do the yellow later.

These are truly elegant flowers with their simple, graceful curves and mottled leaves. I like the way the deep blue-violet background complements the lilies, don't you?

Orange Daylilies watercolor painting

There is something about the "wild" daylilies that bloom along roadsides that I particularly like. They really are not wild as they are not native to North America. All of them were started at some time from plantings and then spread.

But how nice to see bright splashes of color in unexpected places. I have them growing on a little hillside by my mailbox. I'd only planted a few several years ago, but it didn't take long before they filled the area. Now they are blooming every day and I love it! I brought one in to use as reference for this painting.

Pink Rose, Rosa Botanical Painting

This is a favorite rose of mine and I wish I could remember the species. It has been in my garden for many years. I remember going to a local nursery with a friend and just could not leave without purchasing it. The color is such a soft, pretty pink and the scent light, fragrant and delectable!

It was a joy to paint this lovely flower - even when it fades, the petals will still be so fragrant that I will use them in a potpourri.

• This original botanical painting is 7"x5" and is done with watercolor and a touch of colored pencil to create realistic depth.  You can get this painting or print at Shop.ZehOriginalArt.com in the botanical section. Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day.

Purple Irises Oil Painting

Irises are one of the most elegant of flowers, don't you think? Regardless of the color, they add a beautiful statement to the flower garden. I used the bearded iris at left for a reference for this painting. I like them for their two tone purple color with dark velvet falls. Their buds are lovely too - almost like satin.
This colorful oil painting uses thick brush strokes to define the lovely curve of the petals and buds.

• You can find more of my floral paintings and prints for sale at JanetZeh.Etsy.com. Thanks for stopping by to see the irises. Have a lovely day!

Daisies and Dragonfly watercolor painting

Daisies mean summer to me and though summer is not quite here, the daisies are. Here I've painted a tangle of these summery flowers blooming by the waterside as a dragonfly dips and flits among them.

Rosa rugosa, Beach Roses Botanical Watercolor Painting

I'm so happy to see the rugosas blooming! They remind me of the beach since they bloom along the shore. I have two shrubs; these are from the smaller shrub. Though it doesn't grow very tall, it has prettier flowers for a painting.

To the left is the branch I clipped to bring inside for this botanical. There was a firefly on it and tonight while posting this, I see their lights winking out in the yard. Roses and fireflies mean summer is near!

You can get this botanical as a painting or print in my shop at Zeh Original Art Shop.

Horses in Springtime watercolor painting

Not too long ago on one of my daily walks (I like to walk at least a couple of miles a day) I passed by this scene at a nearby homestead. The blossoming shrub and the horses in the field just made me want to paint this! I was pleased with how the foreground colors ran together making the look of grasses - watercolors can offer up pleasant surprises like that sometimes. The piece has a soft effect to denote the newness of a spring day. Unlike some of my other work where I use saturated color, this is a painting with a light touch.

• Find my paintings and prints for sale at JanetZeh.Etsy.com. Thanks for stopping by. Have a lovely day.

Great Blue Heron in a Stream watercolor

Passing by a stream on my walk yesterday, I spotted this heron through the trees. When it saw me, it took to the air and flew right by me and over the field across the road. It was most likely headed to a nearby pond. The sight of it stopped me in my tracks because although I see them often, it is rare to see them that close without binoculars. What a pleasant surprise!

Notice that the water in this painting is denoted by reflections and highlights: the reflections of grass, rocks and trees and highlights where the ripples are. To make water reflections realistic, the dark areas are painted a little bit lighter than what is being reflected and the lights a bit darker. When it comes to ripples or waves, those areas are higher than the smooth water, so they are much lighter at the top especially if the sunlight hits them.

• The original has been sold, but you can get the print in my Etsy shop here: Great Blue Heron in a Stream Watercolor Print
• Check for more of my bird art at JanetZeh.Etsy.com. Thanks and have a beautiful day!