Friday, December 7, 2012

Camellia No.2

I have painted the first background wash with a mixture of neutral tint and midnight green. I am now working on the leaves with very light washes of sap green and midnight green.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Camellia with raindrops

This is a pencil drawing of a Camellia, which will be another raindrop painting in watercolour and gouache. I took some photographs of this Camellia at Kew Gardens earlier in the year when we went to visit Marianne North's Gallery. The day was very wet, but the sun came out just at the right moment. The light was perfect and the leaves seemed to hold the raindrops well. I have high hopes that this will turn out okay.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Wet, wet, wet (finished)

The painting is now finished. Once I started painting the raindrops I just could not stop. This painting will be available for purchase at Irby Artists Association, Art and Craft Exhibition Saturday 17th November 2012, 10.00am - 5.00pm St Chad's Hall, Roslin Road, Irby. CH61 3UH. Entry to the exhibition is free.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Wet, wet, wet No.4

I am getting carried away with the raindrops now. Painting raindrops is a favourite part of any painting I produce. Each raindrop is individual and interesting, it is a challenge capturing them.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Wet, wet, wet (No.3)

I could not resist starting the raindrops, I probably should have finished the washes on the leaves first, but I did not want to wait any longer. The foreground leaf is finished and I am just lifting areas on the leaf behind.This is my favourite part of the painting.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Wet, wet, wet

I have just started laying green washes down, increasing the intensity of the colour as I keep adding more washes. When I am happy with the tonal values I will add the raindrops. At this stage I am always impatient and want to be painting the raindrops.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Wet, wet, wet

This photograph shows the beginning of 'Wet, wet, wet'. I have drawn out a composition on watercolour paper, basing it on reference photographs I took at Ness Botanic Gardens.The branch of leaves is covered in raindrops. I have painted in the background with a couple of washes of Midnight Green and Neutral Tint. I will be posting photographs of it as it progresses.  

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

International Artist Magazine - My Article


Very exciting news. I have an article in International Artist Magazine No.86 August/September issue. It is a step by step demonstration on one of my recent projects.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Holly, Ilex aquifolium

The watercolour painting of Holly is finished. When I have completed a painting I usually put it out of sight for a couple of weeks. Then when I get it out again and look at it with fresh eyes it is easier to see where corrections or alterations should be made.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Holly Ilex aquifolium

I have just started to add deeper reds to the berries, also adding raindrops onto the leaves. I probably should be working on the rest of the leaves, but I was impatient and wanted to get going on the raindrops. Adding the raindrops is my favourite part of any painting.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Holly, Ilex aquifolium

I have been working on other paintings this week, I usually have about five on the go. Only managed to spend a small amount of time on this one.
I increased the amount of pigment used of the stronger green on the leaves and when I am happy with the tonal value I will add the raindrops. Just started to block in the area of the berries, using cadmium red and carmine.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Holly, Ilex aquifolium

Having fun with this painting. I got so carried away I forgot to take step by step photographs. I applied another wet wash to the background, using midnight green and neutral tint.
Now I am working on the leaves. The leaves are interesting to paint as there is a strong contrast of light and dark. I am using colours, sap green, midnight green, sunlit green, lemon yellow and neutral tint.
I am laying down washes on the leaves, leaving areas of white paper for highlights to shine through. Will keep you updated with my progress, if I can remember to take photographs.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Holly, Ilex aquifolium

This is the start of my new painting of Holly, Ilex aquifolium, Argentea Marginata. It's based on photographs I took at Ness Botanic Gardens. I drew it free hand onto watercolour paper and have just started to add the background using a wet wash of midnight green and neutral tint. I will be posting photographs of if as it progresses.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Visited Biddulph Grange Gardens in Staffordshire at the weekend. The Rhododendrons were fabulous. Took many photographs.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Exhibition

Saturday is exhibition day at Irby. Looking forward to it, it is always an exciting day.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

This is one of my favourite views at Ness Gardens. It is down the bottom of the garden in a small secluded wood. Went last week and took hundreds of photographs.

Sunday, April 1, 2012



This painting is one of four that will be for sale at  The Society of Botanical Artists, Botanical Celebration  in Westminster Central Hall, Storey's Gate, London SW1H 9NH. Friday 20th to Sunday 29th April 2012. 11am to 5pm daily.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Been busy this week putting together my new website. It has been quite a challenge and I haven't had much time for painting. But at last the website is ready. Please pop along and have a look. A number of my prints are for sale and once I've sorted out postage issues I'll be putting a number of my originals up there too. I hope you like it.
www.sarahwoodart.com