Special Subjects: Get Started Painting

WATERCOLOR LESSON 2

Bird of Paradise with Geri Medway

The vibrant colors and diverse shapes of flowers always add interest to a composition, but there’s no need to restrict yourself to painting flowers in groups. Focus on a single flower to create a delicate floral “portrait,” as Geri Medway has done with this close-up view of a bird of paradise in bloom. The layers of glazes produce deep, rich tones, and the contrast of bright colors against the dark background help make this exotic tropical flower leap off the paper!

WHAT YOU NEED

BRUSH:

• large round brush

WATERCOLORS:

• alizarin crimson • cadmium orange • cadmium red deep • cadmium yellow light • cadmium yellow medium • peacock blue • permanent rose • phthalo blue • phthalo green • sap green ...