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Spring Flowers & Painting Tutorials

April 2, 2014 By Colleen 11 Comments

Spring Flower Tutorials

Spring flowers have been popping up around here for a couple of months now.

Pink-Camellia

Pink Camellia

I was so excited to see the pretties popping up all around our property. Every week or so, a new posy would open up. For some reason, I started snapping pics. I have no idea why. Heaven knows, I’m not a great photographer. To say nothing of a gardener. But I do believe that this house has the largest array of flowers of any I’ve lived in. The fact that I didn’t plant them, or do much to tend them, makes them even more that enjoyable.

White-Camellia

White Camellia

I kept grabbing my camera, even though I couldn’t really see an entire blog post devoted to random spring flowers, blooming in the Sierra Nevada foothills, when the rest of the country for the most part was still buried in snow. Seemed a little . . . I dunno . . . not very nice somehow. But even though I don’t garden, I do love painting flowers. They’ve always been favorites of mine, and I loved teaching Indoor Garden Painting in the craft store to novice painters too. As my photo collection was enlarging, I thought I’d use them as photo references for painting tutorials.

Daffodil

Daffodil

Then it dawned on me . . . I already have a number of tutorials for painting Spring flowers . . . and maybe some of you enjoy painting flowers as much as I do. In which case, you’ll find my entire list of Flower Painting Tutorials at the bottom of this post. 

Hybrid-Daffodil-A

Hybrid Daffodil?

And maybe some of you will know the names of the flowers that I don’t. Like this one above. Any ideas?

Hybrid-Daffodil-B

It looked like a daffodil from the side but has many more petals and no center, like other daffodils.

 Just this one stem. No others like it anywhere around.

It bloomed a week or two later than the other daffodils.

Apple-Blossom-Branch

Cherry Blossom Branch


Another early bloomer were the flowering branches. We have a small Flowering Quince, that I neglected to get a photo of. Poor thing. It really needs some shaping.

Now pruning, that I’m pretty good at. I’m not over-zealous  . . . at least I don’t think I am . . . but I know to remove the cross-members that crowd the center of trees.

Bushes . . . they’re just at my mercy.

Like the Wisteria.

I mentioned when I first showed our home’s property how we have two wisteria vines on either side of our garage. You probably already know how wisteria can really take over, right?

Out came my shears for a little  . . . haircut. For months there was nothing. No sign of any life, save for some greyish twigs and branches. Mom was worried. She was pretty sure I’d killed both wisteria.

I said a few prayers myself.

Wisteria-Buds

Wisteria Buds

A few weeks ago, these little guys started popping out. *phew*

Wisteria-Early-Bloom

Wisteria in Early Bloom

It seemed like overnight they all popped into their glorious sweeping displays.

Wisteria-vine

Wisteria Vines

Nature amazes me, it truly does.

Wisteria

This will be my reference shot for a painting of Wisteria. I just can’t decide between a watercolor-ish one or my regular full blown acrylic look.

Possibly both?

Snapdragons

Snapdragons

These sweet little snapdragons came up along the side fence, to my surprise.

Actually, all of these flowers were/are a surprise since this is our first Spring in this house and I have little knowledge of garden flowers.

White-Bell-like-Flower

White-Bell-like-Flower

Behind the snaps are two stems of these white cuties that somewhat resemble Lily of the Valley, but not quite. There are only one or two blossoms on each stem. Any ideas what these are?

Lavender

Lavender

Also along the fence are bushes and bushes of this variety of Lavender. We have another variety too but it’s not close to bloom yet. I ‘harvested’ some of it last summer . . . and it’s still sitting in the storeroom . . . waiting for somebody to do something fabulous with it. I think I’ll let these blossoms stay just as they are for the bees to enjoy. (But I do want to paint a sprig or two.)

Fig-Leaves

Fig Tree

Fig trees are the funniest things, with their twisted and gnarled branches and a sprout of green at the very tip of each one. As they unfold, the tiny leaves take their familiar shape.

 

White-Lilacs

White Lilacs

Yet another surprise were these white lilacs. I knew we had one fledgling purple lilac tree which is just starting to bloom, but these lacy white blooms seemed to come from nowhere. I was so pleased as we had a myriad of lilac bushes and trees at our old house.

I could go on and on, as each week another surprise blossom pops up, but I’ll share just two more photos . . . 

My-Garden-Angel
These past few months have been unbelievably hard here, with my brother’s illness and passing, and the simpleness of Spring flowers has brought little glimpses of joy and renewal just when I needed them most.

I stopped by the drug store for something or other after my final visit to the skilled nursing facility and saw these sweet garden cherubs. (I call them angels, Mom says they’re cherubs.)

Mom's-Garden-Angel

At my brother’s request, there was no memorial or service, which was fine with us. But I thought these little cherubs, nestled amongst the flowers and vines, would bring a reminder that John is at peace now.

I hope you’re enjoying some Spring wherever you’re at now. I also hope you’re getting some time to paint. I’m trying to, although at times the noise of my thoughts drowns out the silent brushstrokes and I have to find something else to distract my mind.

It’ll pass. Or . . . at least it will lessen a bit.

I don’t like being this familiar with Grief. I certainly don’t like having my creative work interrupted. But I’ve learned that you have to allow yourself to heal. And then start anew.

Just like Spring flowers.

Flower Painting Tutorials

Here is my complete list of flower tutorials. I’ll be working on a few more (like Wisteria) as I can. 

    1. Cherry Blossoms You can use this tutorial for a lot of ’round’ flowers, like camellias, simply by changing the center details.
    2. Daffodils – basic layering method
    3. Daffodils – watercolor effect
    4. Daisies
    5. Geraniums
    6. Hyacinth
    7. Hydrangea – 3 different ways to paint
    8. Hydrangea – layering method
    9. Hydrangea – video tutorial
    10. Iris
    11. Lilacs – purple
    12. Lilacs – white
    13. Lilacs – simple ‘dipdot’ technique
    14. Paperwhite Narcissus
    15. Poppies
    16. Poppy – watercolor effect
    17. Queen Anne’s Lace
    18. Roses
    19. Sunflowers
    20. Sunflower, large
    21. Tulips
    22. Simple Spring Flowers – video tutorial 
    23. Wildflowers – with fabric markers
    24. Paint Flowers in 15 Minutes – simple ‘dipdot’ method

Happy Spring!

Colleen

about Colleen

Filed Under: How To & PIY, My House, My Stuff, PIY, Tutorials

Comments

  1. Rose Marie says

    April 3, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    Thanks for posting all the flowers, I loved seeing them all as I am a gardener. The weather has not cooperated here on the East Coast and I am over ready for spring. Can’t wait to did in my garden. It gives me the tranquility and inner peach I need.

    I too also have angels all over my house and yard, Have always had a “thing” about angels. I would like to know where you found your solar statue of St. Joe. Would love to have one.

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Colleen says

      April 3, 2014 at 2:24 pm

      Hi Rose Marie! We got the fountain at QVC – http://www.qvc.com/Solar-Powered-St.-Francis-Fountain-by-Smart-Solar-Search-Results.product.M29906.html?sc=M29906-SRCH&cm_sp=VIEWPOSITION-_-1-_-M29906&catentryImage=http://images.qvc.com/is/image/m/06/m29906.001?$uslarge$

      (Don’t miss the 5 payments with no interest!)

      He comes in what they call “bronze” but it looked more like dark greyish brown to me so I added some bronze highlights here: http://justpaintitblog.com/2014/03/antique-bronze-outdoor-fountain-dry-brushing/

      Thanks for stopping by. Hope the weather cooperates in your area soon! (btw, the day I wrote that, we had pouring rain and a little snow, haha.)

      Reply
  2. Pat Champagne says

    April 3, 2014 at 2:34 pm

    I have been very lax in reading the entire contents of all the blogs I follow. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for the loss of your brother. My prayers will be with you and your Mom. Pat

    Reply
  3. Kris says

    April 3, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    I think your photographs are darn good, Colleen! The yellow flower is a Narcissus, which is what daffodils are, but there’s a huge variety of them. What this one’s particular name is I can’t tell you, unfortunately. You’ve had so many grievous things to deal with. It’s a testament to your great strength you keep carrying on in spite of it all. I admire you that strength and wish you a very happy Spring!!! Keep on making art!

    Reply
  4. Lynn says

    April 3, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    Hi Colleen….the little tiny white flowers are called Snowdrops. They are usually one of the very first flowers to peep up in the early spring, and sometimes even pop up through snow. They are tiny bulbs and can be planted in the fall. They will spread and naturalize and come back each year. I am enjoying your tutorials. Lynn

    Reply
    • Colleen says

      April 8, 2014 at 4:32 pm

      Thanks Lynn! I just noticed along one fence where they are using the cedar trees as a trellis and climbing up the branches! so pretty. Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  5. Cynthia Nessel says

    April 4, 2014 at 4:21 am

    Colleen,
    My condolences for your loss. I really enjoyed your photos as gardening is a passion of mine. Finding time to do it is the only problem. What a beautiful place, where you live. My grandparents had a cabin in Placerville, Camino to be exact, 30 some years ago. Placerville brings back lOts of memories for me as a little girl. Funny those we meet. Even if it’s me running into your blog! Another silly thing…my childhood best friends name was Colleen! Anyhow,
    Thanks for sharing your website. Excuse my silly web name. Still trying to get to the next step and have a web/blog as beautiful as yours!

    Reply
    • Colleen says

      April 8, 2014 at 4:31 pm

      Hi Cynthia! Our house is actually only 2 miles from Camino. We’re on the outskirts of Placerville and just off a road that goes straight to Camino.

      It always amaze me when I come across a reader who’s familiar with Placerville! It’s such a funny, small town – even though it’s grown a lot since I was a child – still has its quirks.

      Good luck with your blog! I hope you have as much fun as I do with it. Just be patient . . . with it and yourself. It’s a “labor of love” but well worth the effort.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Peony Patterns - Just Paint It Blog says:
    April 20, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    […] visit regularly know, I’ve been on a photography rampage lately, snapping pics of all of the spring flowers that are popping up in my […]

    Reply
  2. Free Mother's Day Watercolor Clip Art - Just Paint It Blog says:
    May 1, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    […] I don’t have a pattern for this . . . yet. However most of my tutorials have patterns so if you like spring flowers there are links to 24 tutorials here. […]

    Reply
  3. How To Paint a Glass Bud Vase - Just Paint It Blog says:
    March 23, 2015 at 6:55 am

    […] is my second Spring in this house and I’m always torn between leaving the flowers outside or bringing a few […]

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    About Me

    Hi there! I'm Colleen, a self-taught artist, writer and blogger, among other things. You don't get to be old enough to order off the Denny's senior menu without accomplishing a few things in life. Read More…

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