Painting flowers can be a joy and sometimes a headache. With so many petals going every which way it is easy to lose your way. The depth and detail can be lost as the colour jumps at you saying "paint me! paint me!"

The way I paint it quite methodical in that there is a process. I need to find the form first and save the detail for later. Working in shadow and then light. As light is where the detail is - if I leave that till last - I win the battle. 
So first I work in the shadow building form using the mid 3 tones. It always amazes me when you add the third tone how the object jumps from the page. Then going to the light again using 3 tones. By treating the two areas as seperate as I can using different pastels and different temperatures, The glow is found. 
The last thing I work on is the edges. I think this is where most people get hooked up. to make an edge you need a light against a dark. It is this contrast that finds and edge. If I leave that till last I have the control over where a petal is defined or not. 
Patience is key. One tone at a time. Building scaffold, then walls, then the detail. 

You can also see a sneek peak at the fibonacci spiral at work in my composition. 

If you would like to see the full demonstration video of how I painted this Camelia, follow this link: CAMELIA LIGHT

Wow! What a new world we are living in. Who would have thought this situation of isolation would be our world's new normal? How are you coping? Don't be surprised if you are feeling lost or unable to focus. We have all had our worlds turned upside down and we have to create a new 'norm". Easily said but not always easily implemented.

My new norm includes having to move out of my studio and make an area under my house a makeshift home for my art. For those of you who know me - I have a lot of stuff! Finding space for everything including easels and supplies in a 2m x 3m space is challenging to say the least. ​But all I really need is my easel and the few feet in front of me. You find out how much you can do without when it becomes a necessity. 

So far I have been experimenting with different ideas of what you may be interested in watching and learning. From short 3 minute videos on how to sort your pastels to 90 minute demonstrations or step by step paint with me.  There is something for everyone. 

The latest courses up on the school are from my DVD collection. I have separated the 2 DVD's into 4 individual videos you can watch, or buy them as a bundle. Your choice. 

Let me know what you think and what you would like to see more of.  I am working on a longer course in colour theory. It will take awhile to produce as it is quite comprehensive. But hopefully you will get a sneak peak soon. 

In the mean time.... Happy painting!