Friday, November 3, 2017

Pink Abutilons ~ Happy PPF!

Hello!

More florals from me as my entry for Paint Party Friday:
'Birthday Abutilons'
watercolour, watercolour pencil, acrylic and inkpen on paper

I had a specific idea in mind - pink abutilons.  A birthday card for someone who happened to say she liked them.

.... and so it began:
I can sometimes get away with just taking paint to paper and being happy with the result but, this time, it wasn't happening.
So, after a few tries I felt I really needed to draw an outline first...



Out into the garden to take some reference photos... not pink but that's easily fixed ;D):
As it happened, cuttings of this orange Abutilon were given to me by the very person for whom I was painting the card!


Outline sketch done:



First soft layer of watercolour:




Once dry, then in with more watercolour and the watercolour pencils:



Using the heavy watercolour paper enables lots of wetting and drying without too much buckling or erosion problems:


Then some acrylic for the stamen - I had a bit of trouble with this part and that's where acrylic is great, with all the re-doing I'd built up a bit of texture too (can't really capture it in the photo).
Finally, some outlining with my inkpen - the part I enjoy the most!





Linking to Eva and Kristin's Paint Party Friday, where the happiest of artists gather... and everyone's welcome! 

92 comments:

  1. Adorable ! I love your pink abutilons -
    an exquisite MIXED MEDIA painting at it's best!
    Thank you for sharing your process - lovely photos!
    And even your getting warm paintings are just lovely!
    Happy weekend and happy PPF Sue!

    oxo Susi

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    1. Thanks so much Susi! 😊
      Really appreciate your visit... happy PPF! xx

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  2. Just love your pink Abutilon's ... I like the original photograph too.
    Many thanks for sharing your process and progress here.

    Happy November Wishes

    All the best Jan

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    1. So happy you enjoyed the post Jan, thank you :D) xx

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  3. Sue you nailed it. These are lovely. I mostly like the leaves though, fantastic.

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    1. Thanks very much Nicole - always great to get feedback. Happy PPF! xx

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  4. It is so amazing how you transition from very pale watercolor, to rich and vibrant color, using different pens and paints, resulting in such an intricate finale! I love your display of attempts early on in your project! I would have taken any one of them. Very lovely! Have a wonderful weekend, Sue! xxoo

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    1. Thanks very much Suzanne - I love that build-up too... the best thing is that I have the acrylic standing by for if/when I go a bit too far ;D)
      Really appreciate your comments, enjoy your weekend as well xx

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  5. you have amazing talent sue, right down to the sketch which is beautiful!! the detail in the stamen is really exceptional!!!

    LOVE the colors, it made a beautiful card!!!

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    1. aw thanks Debbie...
      that stamen nearly did me in lol 😣 I called it 'finished' so many times but it really wasn't... but ended up happy with result and so I do thank you for your lovely comments. Cheers, and enjoy your weekend :D) xx

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  6. Your flower painting is fantastic, so much depth and detail, just beautiful. Lucky lady who gets that gorgeous card! Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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    1. Many thanks Valerie, it's always a pleasure to make my cards. Happy PPF xx

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  7. Gorgeous, luv your Abutilons, (its the first time I'm seeing this flower) Happy PPF

    much love...

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    1. I'm glad you're finally getting to see the Abutilons (also known as Chinese Lanterns) Gillena, that's lovely! Thanks for popping over and sharing PPF with me. Cheers! xx

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  8. such a pretty and delicate flower Sue, and you did a beautiful job recreating it on your card-lovely details and very striking pink! Thanks for sharing the steps too. Happy PPF!

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    1. Thanks very much Linda, it's the delicacy of the petals that I love about this flower and I'm so happy I gave it a try. Appreciate your lovely comments. Happy PPF :D) xx🎨

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  9. Gorgeous and radiant flower art, the abutilon is super-beautiful, the pink is so deep, uplifting and magical! Stunning work, and so lovely to see your process, fabulous!
    happy PPF
    Victoria #17

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    1. I really appreciate your visit and thanks very much for your inspiring words Victoria :D) Happy PPF!

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  10. Love, love love your work. Beautiful flowers.

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  11. This is stunning, thanks also for showing your process...oh I love flowers. Beautiful details.

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    1. It's a lot of fun sharing our work on PPF... have a Happy one and thanks for your lovely visit Christine :D) xx

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  12. Hello dear Sue!Your flower painting is fantastic!I,m very impressed from your details!
    You are so talented!!I would love to learn how to paint!
    Have a happy November and a great weekend!
    Dimi...

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    1. Thank you kindly Dimi for your encouraging words... it's lovely to express ourselves and relax isn't it - no matter what form it takes. Cheers to you and yes have a lovely November :D) xx

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  13. Hi Sue! You have a wonderful style to paint! Greetings

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  14. Wonderful card (and a very instructional post). Thank you! Happy PPF

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    1. Thanks so much Susan.
      I'm putting more and more little notes about the process for my future self as a visual prompt ;D) Glad you enjoyed it, Happy PPF! 🎨

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  15. This is so beautifully done! Thank you for showing the steps. This was really a work done with love for your friend. Beautiful!

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    1. Many thanks Gloria, so very nice of you to say :D) Happy PPF!

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  16. a beautiful painted flower picture
    lovely photos from painting
    Happy weekend,
    Elke

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    1. Hi Elke! Thank you very much, have a lovely weekend too :D) xx

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  17. Lovely card! Luckty friend the one that got it!
    Thanks for the painting tutorial.

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    1. Thanks very much Duta... always appreciated :D) xx

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  18. Dear Sue - your friend is going to be delighted to receive this card. So pretty friend and cheerful as well. Have a great weekend. Hugs!

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    1. Thanks Debbie, I hope so. It was a bit of a challenge this one, and I enjoyed it overall. Really appreciate your lovely visit. Happy November xx

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  19. I love seeing your progression. It helps me a lot. Had not thought of using acrylic I always reach for my first love pastels (chalk). They are absolutely gorgeous for the card. Thanks so much for visiting and thank you for congrats. Surprised me. I have a photograph only blog: https://jkwgalleries.blogspot.com to see more pictures. Blessings, Janet

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    1. Hi Janet, I agree the pastels have a beautiful softness about them, as shown in your lovely work.
      Thanks for your comments and I shall pop over to see your gallery blog real soon. Cheers and Happy PPF! xx

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  20. Such a pretty card for your lucky friend! Nice to see how it was done and the original flower that inspired it. We can grow them here - I need to find one! Wishing you a lovely weekend. Hugs xx Karen

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    1. Thanks very much Karen - I definitely needed to do that sketch first! I Can be a bit lazy and just want to get stuck into the painting part.
      The Abutilons come in many colours and even though their petals look fragile, they are a very hardy plant and so easy to strike from cuttings. They do equally well in most positions too. Hope you can add one to your beautiful garden, they'll give you a lot of pleasure. Cheers and lovely to see you xx

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  21. What a great drawing and painting of this card. I love my garden too and always getting inspiration from it. I live in Upper Moutere near Nelson New Zealand, so like you our summer is just beginning and my first roses are in flower!

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    1. Many thanks Marijke!
      Our gardens give us so many things don't they. I'm not very good with growing roses but I do love to see them most especially in bud. I shall look forward to more of your floral posts. Thanks for visiting :D)

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  22. I love seeing your process, and how the flowers in your garden come alive in your painting. Beautifully done!

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    1. Thanks very much Denise, it's coming to the kind of weather where I can happily sit out in the garden to paint.
      Cheers now and thanks for your lovely visit :D) xx

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  23. You always do such a good job on flowers. These are beautiful. I see where you said you can finally sit out in the garden to paint and here we are coming on sitting inside weather and keeping warm.

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    1. Thanks so kindly Sandy, I really love painting flowers... sometimes I prefer the abstract ones and I'm itching to do some more digital work, especially after seeing yours :D)
      It's deceiving today, the sun is out and beckoning but the wind alongside it is chilly... will we never be satisfied lol !! Thanks for popping by xx

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  24. Your pink abutilons are marvelous! I enjoyed seeing your process in creating them. I am sure your friend will be pleased.
    ~~ Irene

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    1. Many thanks for your lovely comments Irene, I really appreciate your visit :D)

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  25. Thank you for sharing the process Sue. Your art is gorgeous and those who receives them are very fortunate.

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    1. Thanks very much Denise, glad you enjoyed your visit. Cheers and have a lovely weekend :D) xx

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  26. Like the way the flowers slowly get the colour (in the painting)

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  27. my mothers flower, how can I not love it :) Beautiful work Sue.

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  28. How beautiful done! What a talent you have!

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  29. Very pretty. I like how the composition looks just right with outline as the flowers hang over a little. :)

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    1. Thanks Shannon, I owe that composition to nature ;D) cheers!

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  30. I always have to admire people who have such a talent as you, Sue! I wish I could draw my garden flowers, too.

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    1. Thanks Sigrid for those kind words. I hope you give it a try - we're always the hardest on ourselves and with your beautiful garden to inspire you .... :D)xx

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  31. Oh what bright colourful flowers, wouldn't it be great to find this in one's birthday envelope (and keep it for ever).
    Haha, I know the feeling - paint without drawing, paint without drawing, then realise it would be better to do a drawing, although you are absolutely right that sometimes it works perfectly and even better.

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    1. Thanks very kindly Sheila :D)
      lol, yes, in my more disciplined times I do know that doing a drawing first is best ... but... but... it's not the fun part lol ;D) cheers! xx

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  32. I almost always draw before I paint... The card is lovely, I think your friend is very lucky!

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    1. It's the best way and good for you Lisa... I admire yours and others that skill.
      Thanks for your lovely comments :D) xx

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  33. It is interesting to see how you go about your work. I can see you make lovely cards.

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  34. Beautiful!
    This flower is 'Kirjoaulio' in Finnish :)

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    1. Thankyou for telling me that, and for your visit :D)

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  35. Fun to watch the creative process at work and very interesting for a non-creative type like me.

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  36. Bonito dibujo. Buen día.

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  37. Just beautiful! Thank you for the tutorial too. Have a nice & creative week Sue.

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    1. I hope your week is going well too Riitta, many thanks for your comment xx

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  38. I had never heard of this flower but it sure is pretty, and your pictures, as usual, are vibrant and full of life.

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    1. It's one of my favourites Jenny, such a tough variety and because of that so dependable when a lot of others fail. Glad you enjoyed my pictures, thank you :D) xx

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  39. Que lindas pinturas!
    Bom final de semana.
    janicce.

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    1. Thank you very much Janicce, lovely to have you visit :D)

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  40. Beautiful! You’ve done the abutilons proud. :) The stamen adds the extra detail that lifts it from the page. And from a design perspective, I love the way you have used the border and background.

    Have an awesome weekend. xx

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    1. Thank you dear Vicki - I appreciate your supportive thoughts xx

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  41. What a process! Good for you. I did a sketch, but I'm finding it hard finding space for it!

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    1. Thanks Jenn, much appreciated. That you're sketching is great - always a happy time :D)

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  42. Your abutilons are so pretty - I love the final result. They look very realistic, and great work on the stamen!

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  43. Passando para ver as novidades.
    janicce.

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  44. Sue, your flowers are bright and beautiful and I always appreciate seeing your process. Maybe I should try some of my orchids. Thanks for your visit to my garden. Happy PPF

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    1. I think you should use your orchids as subjects Susan - you've an unlimited amount of beautiful inspiration with them don't you :D)
      Thanks for your visit and lovely thoughts

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