Cottage by the Sea and Flower Garden Custom Watercolor Painting Demonstration

It's Valentine's Day! And SO cold here in New England - minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chill. A good day to stay indoors and snuggle with your sweetheart (or a blanket and a good book). It's also a fine day to remember blooming flowers and tropical climes.

So here is a custom watercolor of a very lovely tropical-looking place. The client wanted two of her photos combined to show the scene. She named the painting "Taronga" which is an Aboriginal word meaning 'beautiful view'. I didn't ask, but perhaps the scene is in southern Australia or Tasmania.

One of her photos shows a flower-covered arbor. Through the arbor are steps leading up to a yellow house with a green door.

The other photo shows the arbor's gates closed so you can't see the house, but you can see a view of the ocean.  She wants both a view of the house through the arbor and the ocean in the painting.  To combine them, all I have to do is open the gate!

To see how I do that, read on.

Bird of Paradise Botanical Painting Strelitzia Reginae

This painting of Bird of Paradise is a commission for clients who live in Thailand. I wish I could grow this plant in my garden, but unfortunately, it's much too cold where I live.

The flowers bear a resemblance to tropical birds with their beak-like bracts from which bright orange sepals and blue petals emerge. They are pollinated by birds, especially sunbirds (which are similar to hummingbirds). The leaves look like banana leaves.

All in all, they are a very interesting and brightly pretty flower!
To see how I paint a detailed illustration of Strelitzia reginae (the botanical name), read on. Or skip to the finished painting.

Hawaii Tropical Sunset Watercolor demonstration

Hawaii has been on my mind recently. Most likely because it is gray and drab here when the sun is not out to brighten up the leafless landscape. Even on clear days, the sun is a lazy thing, not bothering to get up until 7AM and going to bed early at 4:30 PM.

And no snow! Snow makes winter beautiful in the North.  But we have only been graced with it once this fall.  It wreaked havoc that time because it was too early. The oak trees had not lost their leaves and the heavy snow weighed the branches down so much they broke, falling in a haphazard fashion all over the power lines.  We were without power for 10 days. Kind of nice, actually, to live in a more rustic kind of way. But it's nicer to have it back.

So Hawaii has been in my thoughts. And how lucky that a web surfing lover of sunsets and soft sea colors found my site and wanted a beautiful Hawaii sunset painting for herself. "It doesn't even have to be a seascape," she explained. "I just love the colors in your Sunset Beach paintings. And the big bright sun."

Ahh... music to an artist's ears. I can paint whatever I want so long as there is a big bright sun and beautiful colors. 

Waterlilies - Two Paintings in Watercolor - Tropicals #33 & 34

 "Water Lily Pond"

Here are a few more paintings from the water lily pond at the botanical gardens in Hawaii. I like the painting above for the suggestion of colorful koi fish swimming just below the surface of the water and the little ripples made when they come up for food.

Below, is another view of the pond, this time with emphasis on the reflections and quiet ripples around the flowers and buds.

"Pink Water Lilies"

These two waterlily paintings are for sale as prints in my Fine Art Prints Shop here:
Waterlily Pond
Pink Waterlilies

Original tropical paintings for sale

Brazilian Red Crested Cardinal Tropicals # 32

Much as I love the Northern Cardinal with its bright red coat of feathers, I could not help but be impressed by its tropical cousin. I had not known about Brazilian Cardinals, or Red Crested Cardinals, before going to Hawaii, much less seen one. But these birds, brought to Hawaii from South America in the 1930s, are now common on the island of Oahu.

• See more of my bird paintings in Zeh Original Art Etsy shop
• You can find my Bird prints in my Fine Art Print Shop 

Water Lily Pond at the Dole Planation Tropical #31 Watercolor Painting

"Water Lilies"

If you have ever visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, you know that there is a fun train ride through the pineapple fields. You also know that pineapples do NOT grow on trees - a revelation for me. Below is how they grow (those little rose-colored things are baby pineapples ). Click the image to see it larger.

Yes, they really do grow on the ground!

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!

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 Orchid Hawaii Flower Tropical 26

One more orchid for this collection. Here is a beautiful one I found in the Foster Botanical Gardens in Honolulu.

Orchids Tropical Flowers from Hawaii - watercolor painting

"Orchids" original watercolor - for sale in my Original Art Shop!

Pretty magenta and white orchids cascade gracefully from a single stem in this original watercolor painting with the hint of more orchids in the background. I found these flowers in the botanical garden in Honolulu.  So many lovely flowers there!

This original painting is part of a series of orchids. All of them go together since they use the same base colors.

Orchid Spray - Hawaii Tropical Flowers watercolor painting

A spray of delicate orchids in magenta and white caught my eye at the botanical gardens in Hawaii. Their petals seem to dance and move in the tropical air. I painted a deep blue/green background to set off these tiny dancers.

White Orchid Watercolor Painting

This is one of my larger orchid paintings at size 21x14 inches. It is based upon the gorgeous white orchids I discovered at a botanical garden. Deep blue wet-into-wet background washes contrast with the bright white petals.

If you look closely, you will see that the petals have multiple colors which denote shading and form. If they were pure white, they would be abstract flowers with no shading.

I am fascinated by the colors that are found in the shadows of white objects when the light hits them. Painting flowers that are white is enjoyable because of all the folds, ruffles and tucks where the color is in hiding. It's such fun to discover that color with paint.

The original painting is sold. Check out more of my available orchid paintings here or contact me to have a custom orchid painting made just for you.

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I'm happy to take custom orders. Contact me for a custom painting of your pet, home, garden, grandkids, favorite vacation spot or whatever your heart desires.
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White and Yellow Orchid Flowers Watercolor Tropical 23

 

Number 23 of the Tropicals Collection is a delicate white orchid that I discovered in the botanical garden's conservatory. Though orchids bloom outdoors in Honolulu's Foster Botanical Gardens, some require more humidity than is found in Hawaii's perfect climate. They keep these colorful orchids from South America and other tropical places in a steamy hot house in the gardens. The flowers are swinging from the rafters and climbing up small trees. These delicate white orchids with bright yellow centers were blooming close to the ground.

"Yellow and White Orchids" original watercolor is sold. Find my available orchid paintings in my shop here: Orchid watercolor paintings.

Yellow Orchid Flowers watercolor Tropical #22

This was a fun painting to do - full of bright color. Yellow is the color of sunshine and joy. These little orchids seem to be dancing with joy against a deep blue background.

This original painting is #22 of the Tropicals Collection. The original watercolor is sold. Find my available orchid paintings in my shop here: Orchid watercolor paintings.

Thanks for stopping by and I wish you a joyful day!

Orange Orchid Flowers watercolor painting - Tropical 21

Warm and inviting orange flowers glow against a blue background. Did you know that orange is the color of creativity and energy? At any rate, I think these orchids have an energetic feel to them, not only their color but their shape as well.

The original watercolor is sold. Find my available orchid paintings in my shop here: Orchid watercolor paintings.

Thanks for stopping by today! :)

Pink Orchid Flowers Watercolor Painting Tropical #20

 

Exquisite pale lavender-pink ruffles surround a deep yellow trumpet. These orchids are beautiful and their variegated leaves are pretty too. This original painting is #20 in my Tropicals Collection.

The original watercolor is sold. Find my available orchid paintings in my shop here: Orchid watercolor paintings.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a lovely day!

Hawaii Magenta Orchid Flowers Watercolor Painting - Tropical #19

 

Here are a pair of pretty orchids which I painted against a deep blue and green background to make the colors pop. The orchids I used for reference were in the Foster Botanical Gardens in Honolulu.  There are so many gorgeous varieties there, it can keep me painting for weeks!

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