Hello Judy what a wonderful and generous comment! So sweet of you to say those kind things. I agree about sharing creative inspiration, I think it’s also mutually satisfying, knowing you’ve given someone the tools to magnify their own creativity feels like such a treat. Thanks again for such a lovely comment. x

Ooh, it sounds like it went well? Send me a photo if you’d like, its info@lizzieharper.co.uk. I lvoe people getting inspired about botanical illustration, and love it even more when they’re at the beginning of their journey in illustration. Thanks for the comment, Karen.

Aww what a lovely comment! No, I don’t do online classes, but if you search for my YouTube channel I’ve got several films of me explaining the process in real time as I paint which might be of interest? Thanks agaim for the generous comment.

I trying to learn how to do this type of watercolor ,and the more I try the more I like….but I’m not progressing as much as I wish…..
Thanks for sharing some of the steps you do to achieve such a beautiful results.
Do you have online classes?
I live in West-USA and I really want to learn these techniques. I totally love your work.?
Thanks
G

Hi Alan

I’m so glad you like them. It’s not that much of a pain (although there’s some very ripe language directed towards my phone when I’m filming and the thing pops out of its tripod etc etc which (lucky for my delicate audience) I edit out!)

Fuzzy leaves do sound like they might be overworked. Or is your paper nice and crisp? You def need hot press if you want to hold onto those edges. Also, are you letting it dry completely between layers of wash? Even if it’s just a bit damp that can compromise the clarity of lines laid down in an earlier layer of painting. And make sure to leave your whites til the end. Good luck, and thanks for the comment. Good luck with it, I hope my video helps a bit.

Yours

Lizzie

thank you so much for these two rose videos, I have stuggled with the leaves for some weeks now (they end up muddy and fuzzy and overworked!). hopefully I can have a better go after seening your approach.

Please keep up the fantastic work, I know it is a pain for you to do but It is soooo apreciated.

Thanks again Alan

Hi Yolande

That’s a really lovely comment to get. I have a bit of a bee in my bonnet about people making botanical illustrations somehow unattainable and mystical. In my opinion it’s a gorgeous way of understanding the natural world that can be done by anyone willing to pick up a pencil and take a little time. I try to get that across in my films, showing that even when you’ve been doing it for years you make mistakes and have panics. And the only reason why we so-called “professional” illustrators have a decent quality of work is because we’ve been lucky enough to hone our craft over hours, days, and years. If my films end up making one person who thought they couldn’t do a painting of a flower decide to give it a go anyway, then I’ll have succeeded! Comments like yours make me feel like I’m heading in the right direction. Thankyou.

I really enjoyed watching your video. I think you are amazingly talented and passionate about what you do. I love your honest comments and humbleness.

Thank you very much for sharing your skill online.
Yolandé