Agapanthus

Agapanthus, pen and watercolour.

These are some more studies from my large studio sketch book. The purple one below was painted in 2008 - the first painting in the book. The white agapanthus was from last week - the only white one we had in the garden.

I am enjoying using more pen again these days, which worked well with the white flowers since this isn't a book for washed in backgrounds.

One of the reasons I love painting flowers is that I can work from life - unlike when painting birds. Another reason, of course, is that they are just beautiful.

Agapanthus, watercolour.

Seed pod study

'Seed Pods' etching 1987

Many (almost 30!) years ago  - I did a copper etching of some seed pods. It was etched in a very gentle Dutch Mordant, which allows exquisite detail. It's one of my favourite etchings.

Yesterday one of my students gave me a branch full of these seed pods. I am still fascinated by these complex though rather dull and ugly subjects.








I decided to do a life-sized study in a gorgeous leather-bound book I keep specially for studio work. It's lovely Italian paper that is great for pen and careful watercolour rather than large washes - perfect for botanicals.

Starting with a very light pencil line to get the proportions correct, I then switched to my Sailor 1911 - a lovely pen for super fine detail - and drew the whole plant.

I then used watercolour to finish it off.