Weekly Study #1: Geranium

This week, I chose to paint a coral geranium, inspired by the ones that filled the many pots on my parents’ back deck in Virginia. Geraniums feel deeply sentimental to me, bringing back memories of home and childhood. As it turns out, they are also wonderfully fun, and forgiving, to paint.

I began with a simple drawing of a geranium and two large leaves. I built up each petal in at least three layers, starting with a pale pink and deepening the color with each pass. For the final two layers, I used a wet-on-wet technique to create softer edges and variations in color.

The leaves were especially fun to paint this way, although I’d like to keep experimenting with a more realistic approach in future studies.

Watch the video below to see the painting come together!

Details

• Hand-painted watercolor

• Size 5” x 7”

• Paper: Arches cold pressed, 100% cotton watercolor paper

• Paint: Windsor & Newton Professional Watercolor

• Brush: Princeton round Velvetouch 3