3 Sisters - Lilies in Watercolor

3 Sisters - Descanso Lilies,  7.5 x 9.5" Watercolor on Yupo
©Helen Read,
matted in white to fit a 11x14" frame

 

Here is yet another small floral from some of the beautiful flowers I saw while visiting Descanso Gardens in California last month.  This one is done on Yupo, a synthetic watercolor paper that doesn't absorb water.  The beautiful patterns of the paint and water remain, though they are a bit unpredictable as the paint is applied.  That adds to the charm and beauty, in my opinion.  
The colors are a harmonious set of blues and greens allowing the flowers to stand out from them, the interiors of the flowers clearly visible for a spot of color.

Descanso Iris

Descanso Iris,  11x 7.5" watercolor on paper
©2014 Helen Read 

SOLD
Matted in white to fit 14x11" frame 

Beautiful Giclee Print of this painting is available here

This lovely iris seemed to be glowing from the interior.  It stood among many in the beautiful Descanso Gardens and was worthy of a portrait! 
Creating the colors that adequately describe it was a little challenging, but the glow seems to be there.  It is ready to send to your address to to bring you a bit of glowing light.

Greenhouse Blooms

Greenhouse Blooms, 7x11" watercolor, acrylic, ink on paper
© Helen Read 

matted (white) and ready to frame in 11x14" frame

If you scroll down one entry, you will see that this festive rendition of a floral came from a recent trip to Los Angeles where I had the opportunity to wander through the L.A. Arboretum.  The prolific blooms and variety of flowers was something rather amazing to my mid-west winter-weary eyes!  This painting tries to capture some of the beauty and color that surrounded me.
Offered with a white matting, it will come to you ready to frame! 

 

Floral abundance - experimenting with new paper

This week, I've had a wonderful time visiting my son and daughter-in-law in Los Angeles. Among so many things, I got a morning at the arboretum. This little watercolor painting is still in progress, but you can see its progression in the 2 images.  More work is still needed, and will be done soon!  

The paper I used is much like Yupo.  Very smooth and does not absorb the paint.  Thus, the wet paint sits on the surface and the wet into wet effects are very interesting.  

I have dozens of reference pictures from this visit and lots of new ideas are forming!  I'll post more on this one soon!