Comments on: Botanical Illustration: Step by step painting of leaves

By: Tata Intra

Tata Intra — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 09:18:18 +0000

Hi, I really enjoyed reading your blog. I learned a lot and thanks for sharing your expertise with us.

By: Lizzie Harper

Lizzie Harper — Fri, 14 May 2021 19:15:23 +0000

Hi Delores

Thankyou! You are brave, switching mediums like that. Id be terrified if anyone asked me to paint in oils! And how wise, to gather hints and tips and techniques for the wonderful resource that is Youtube. I’ve learnt loads from other people’s videos, too. And thanks for noticing the time it takes to make the film. the painting is the easy bit, it’s the editing that takes ages! Enjoy your journey into watercolour painting, but you’ll excel with all your prior experience and open minded attitude.
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By: Delores Pumphrey

Delores Pumphrey — Sat, 08 May 2021 01:31:42 +0000

I have only been painting in watercolor for a year. I use to paint in oils for 11 years but I have always found the delicacy of florals in watercolor beautiful. Plus a find cleaning up from watercolor vs. Oils is a lot easier. I am a spong soaking up everything I read and watch. I wish to thank you for taking the time in this step by step tutorial as well as providing the colors that you used. I’ve never used the ink like watercolor and find that interesting. I am so happy to have found your YouTube Channel. I have watched other botanical illustrators, because each illustrator has many things to teach. Once again. Thank you! I appreciate the time it took you.

By: Lizzie Harper

Lizzie Harper — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 08:52:49 +0000

In reply to Phyllis Bradley. Dear Phyllis, thanks for such a kind comment! And I'm glad I make the process seem straight forward. When you unpick these things, it often isn't nearly as impossible or mysterious as it might appear at first! Thanks again, Lizzie

By: Phyllis Bradley

Phyllis Bradley — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 14:06:41 +0000

Lizzie, thank you. Your work is breathtaking! And you share your process so clearly. I had no idea such detail and precision were possible. And the colors! I aspire.

By: Lizzie Harper

Lizzie Harper — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 11:05:27 +0000

In reply to waymire. Yeah, I agree. It's the way other botanical illustrators can hold all that info in their minds that amazes me, no guide lines. I need not only all the anatomical info, but also light pencil demarcations showing where my highlights are. Im glad this approach works for you. It's unconventional, I know, but for quite a few folks it seems to make more sense, and be easier to master. Well done for trying watercolour when youre used to acrylic, that's so brave. x

By: waymire

waymire — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 08:55:23 +0000

In reply to Sandra Giles. I agree.. it makes so much more sense to me. I tried following some other botanical artists because it was always something I wanted to do and I was so lost. By the time they start getting to the mid tones let alone the darks everything was just a mass of color, and all the guidelines are basically invisible. Probably didn't help I was coming from decades of acrylics where dark to light is the norm.. this process speaks my painting language I guess.

By: Lizzie Harper

Lizzie Harper — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 08:40:43 +0000

In reply to Sandra Giles.

Hi Sandra
What a wonderful comment, I’m so pleased the way I work is helpful. I’m just not clever enough to hold all that visual info in my head when it comes to traditional botanical illustration. You have to go from light to dark, so there’s no guidance, which I find really difficult. Glad it works for you, and that you;re enjoying creating your art, what a lovely thing to hear.

By: Sandra Giles

Sandra Giles — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 05:02:34 +0000

Hi Lizzie, I’ve been following your blogs and video tutorials for a while now and although I haven’t done any painting for so many years I find your method just seems to make more sense and the finished result looks much more natural, I’m using your method for all my botanicals…and so far have been happy with my efforts ..still a way to go yet though !!
This has come later in life for me and finding it so relaxing.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Sandra [ex pom in Australia]

By: Lizzie Harper

Lizzie Harper — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 09:28:39 +0000

In reply to Judi.

Hi Judi

Actually, if you’re ok with painting green leaves, the fall leaves are going to make you really happy as they’re quite a lot more fun! Here’s are a couple of links to youtube videos Ive done on painting autumn leaves, with the associated blogs:

The first one is on Boston Ivy, lots of reds and yellows

https://youtu.be/0UAvyOgkGb0
https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2018/11/botanical-illustration-of-an-autumn-leaf/

The second is of a sycamore leaf, all yellows and greens:

https://youtu.be/PEdQLevbBHE
https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2020/12/botanical-illustration-of-a-sycamore-leaf/

Hope this helps, and good luck with your autumn colours!