Thanks so much for taking the time and trouble to film and post this, Lizzie - it's extremely helpful to see the process in real time, especially with commentary. Really useful for all of us learners.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

That's really good to know. The real time films are somewhat streddful, but I think are perhaps more useful than slick speeded up ones.

Here we are 5 years later, and I've just found you. To me, this painting is wonderful! ❤

@LizzieHarperillustrator

Ай бұрын

Wow, thank you! What a lovely thing to hear

i would never ever go for a cup of tea while you are painting. I love to listen to you and watch what you are doing. Every piece you do it excellent and watching you is never a waste of time.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Youre much too kind...

I always find the speed drawings something of a cruel tease, so I really appreciate seeing the real time demo. An observation: the darker tones you started with ended up being midtones by the time you added the purple shadow to the berries!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Hiya Iris, this comment is one of the most useful Ive ever had! Now when I teach, I always explain that I start with the midtones, then do light and finally pull up the darkest darks. It's made it clearer for everyone, me included. Thanks so much!

Thank you for posting this video. The real time and your instructive comments are very helpful.

Hello Lizzi, I found you for the first time in KZread 2weeks ago and I have thoroughly enjoyed your demos and learnt such a lot. I am a botanical beginner having recently retired and now able to focus my attention on painting. If you do regular postings I would love to be able to keep up with them. Kind regards Christine Bentley. Somerset.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

Жыл бұрын

Hello Christine Well done for getting to a place and a space where you can really pursue your love of botanical illustration. If you subscribe to my KZread channel, then I think it'll pop up whenever I post a new film? You could give it a go, I'm planning on publishing a new one tomorrow, all abotu painting the Ladie's smock or Cuckoo flower. Thanks for such kind words on my demos.

Beautiful! As an absolute beginner with ambitions to do botanicals, I found this real time demo to be a delight. To see how you build up the colors with a pretty dry brush was most instructive. Thank you for sharing.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Hello Susan, what a fab comment! Im really glad you found this useful. As I probably mention in the video, be aware that it's an unusual approach, and in the botanical illustration community most people work lights to darks, building up the colour with increasingly intense layers of washes. I tend to go in all guns blazing, and whap down the colours I see, trying to catch some of the vibrance of the subject straight away. And yes, you're totally right to note that I use the paint very dry, I do. Although increasingly I'm dabbling with adding wet top layers to my work in some instances so I can get those gorgeous crisp edges that pools of drying paint can leave.... Thank you for the comment, and good luck with your adventures into doing botanicall illustrations. There's a world of plants out there waiting for us to paint them! X Lizzie

So useful, thanks Lizzie!!

Thank you...so glad you have done this real time tutorial.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Hope to do more when work's a little less manic, I'm so glad you like it.

I loved this! Must try this method! Thank you so much

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

My pleasure. Give it a go, and enjoy yourself!

Thanks for this Lizzie...I love the speed and the general chat as you go approach to teaching.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Shirley, that's good to hear. It's nice for me to have someone to talk to for once, in general my studio is a place of solitude, so even talking to a camera is exciting! The speed thing has come over time. I realised years ago that the faster I worked, the more I earned per hour. Brutal but true! It was an incentive to speed up, and to never wait around for the artist's "muse" to appear. The upshot being that now I can earn an ok living from what I do...and i produce a lot more stuff each year than I did when I started out! Thanks for the comment. x

I always hoped you would release something like this! Thank you so much! I’ve learned a lot! Also I like the pleasing chattering of birds in the background 😊

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

My pleasure. Seems like its something people like, so I'll do a few more when I have time. Thanks so much for your feedback, I really appreciate it!

Such a lovely video! Thanks a lot for sharing your process!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Thankyou so much for taking the time to leave a comment!

Wonderful commentary, thank you so much for sharing. It’s certainly helped me :)

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for the comment and feedback. Im really glad it was useful.

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, skill and tricks. You make it look so easy. I guess skill comes with practice. I'd love to see more of these videos.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Piefje, thanks for that. Making the films are a bit tricky as the camera tends to get between me and the page. I wonder if I should buy a "go pro" and strap the camera to my head! Also, some of the work I do needs to be kept quiet until it's published, which is annoying! But thanks so mcuh for the positive feed back. Ill try to make and post more of the real-time films, they seem to really engage with people, which is lovely to hear.

so glad you have done this real time tutorial I really learn a lot

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

I'm really pleased. I only wish the end result had worked out a little better. It's always a risj when you're painting live, you can never guarantee the end result!

Thanks for giving me the confidence to try this process a little differently. I am struggling with wet on wet and working with light to dark, I just end up with a giant mess! I will try this way.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

Жыл бұрын

Give it a go, and let me now how you get on. Good luck!

Love this! Enjoyed following your work step by step. Thank you!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

I love your work. I apreciate your real time videos. Thank you very much.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them, and thank you!

Oh my gosh, I'm in love with those birds in the background. Great work with simplifying and then painting something that "pops". Really pretty

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Thankyou! nNd hearing the birds twittering really is a treat, youre right.

This is a wonderful tutorial. So helpful. Thank you. Please do more like this.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Wow, I love that you like these real-time commentaries. I always worry that it truly is...watchingpaint dry! But that's so great to hear you found it helpful. I will do more like this, thanks for the encouraging comment.

Loved watching the process!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Carol, Im glad you found it helpful

I love your ongoing commentary, self-critique, and real-time problem solving! Also Interesting to see the process of working dark to light-it makes sense. And, being an American, your accent and-to my ear-unusual idioms-are a kick! Thank you!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! If only my family were so enamoured of my babbling! But seriously, that's great that the films feel educational and not simply a case of watching paint dry as some weird English woman natters on... And yes, for me the darks to lights makes perfect sense, and simplifies things enormously. x

Thanks for sharing Lizzie. It's reassuring to know even professionals have 'tricks' to rescue paintings. I enjoyed seeing you work at a slower pace.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

I reckon a massive part of getting "good" at something is knowing how to fix errors, and that's as true for botanical illustration as anything else. Not sure this one is fully redeemed though... It's always so easy if it all works out, but there's a LOT you can do between being disappointed and having to chuck the whole thing out. Very pleased you found the film interesting, and thanks for taking the time to comment.

Very helpful look into your "eye." Thank you so much.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

My pleasure.

I find these real time demos so helpful and would love to see more when you are able. Thank you!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them! And yes, as and when I can squeeze them in, Ill do more. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.

Went so lovely. Amazing !

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Hands down one of the best watercolor videos! I learned so much from you. Please do more.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Really? Wow, Dyp, thanks so much for that. I will definitely do more! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

Thank you so much for sharing. Very helpful.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

My pleasure. Im so glad you found it was useful!

This was so enjoyable! I’m so glad to have found your channel today! Thankyou So! 🤗✨🎨🌸💕

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure, Im so pleased 😊

Love this and the birds were a nice touch!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much 😀

Fantastic video Lizzie - so grateful for the tips and demo - especially the ink suggestion - really makes a difference

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Yeah, those inks are amazing, I properly love them

Julia thank you so much for this post. Great tutorial. Love your casual and relaxed attitude. Much appreciated even if you think if was not good enough.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

I've learnt a lot from this - I'm going to try painting dark to light too. Thank you so much

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

OOh, exciting! I hope the darl to light helps. Its a personal thing, some people really like it, some hate it. See how you get on? And thanks for the comment!

Did not go for coffee once! Thank you SO much - real teaching, really appreciated.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

7 ай бұрын

You are so welcome!

Beautiful, thank you. Also love the bird song in the background.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

Thankyou! x

Lovely video, I've been looking to paint some of the plants I've got up here on the mountain and it's nice to see your technique in real time. I learn a bit more easily when I can watch things progress slowly, thank you for this

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Quill, I'm glad that the real-time format works for you. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and feedback, it's much appreciated.

Excelente video!! Muy detallado y completo . Te felicito. Enséñanos más. Mil gracias muaaaacccc!!!! :)

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Muchos gracias!

Thank you so much Lizzie, very beautiful and useful !!!! Brigitte

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Hopefully some of the tricks and tips will come in. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

Thank you for this real time video. It is much more helpful for learning than the speeded up ones. Your description of the colours you use for your mixes are very helpful for a novice like myself too. Thanks.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

I am loving this feedback, it's ever so useful. I like that the real-time video is getting a good reception; I thought it might be really dull. They're not hard to make either, as theres no need to play about and speed up the film. I reckon maybe I'll be making some more, thanks to the feedback of lovely folks like you!

Thank you for doing this full length tutorial. It is perfect and exactly what I was looking for. Hard to find start to finish. You are delightful.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! I think people dont do start to finish cause it takes so long, and slicing and dicing and editing can take a while. Im fortunate in that I paint pretty fast, so I think it's easier for me. Thanks for the comment!

Thanks so much for this amazing demo! I've just started my botanical watercolour journey and find the video really helpful!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! And for taking the time to leave a comment. x

Dearest Lizzie, I'm so thankful for your videos. You are amazing artist. Thank youfor share your work.😙😙😙😙😙

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

That's so great to hear, I love that these films are useful. And thanks for the flattery too! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, and good luck with all you paint and draw!

Thanks for this Lizzie. It’s the second time I’ve watched it and still learning new things.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Trina - hope it's helpful! Thanks for the comment and your patience with me!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Hang on, 2nd time! Goodness me! Im so pleased it continues to be useful, that's really lovely to hear. And sorry I didnt pick up on that bit earlier!

Lizzie, you're a breath of fresh air . . . This is the first time I ve watched you, love the real time format , more PLEASE!! I am currently awash in the sea of watercolour . . . Everything you said and showed made sense Thank you so much Molls xx

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Mollie, thats so lovely to hear. It's a format that I like too although i do worry that I witter on rather too much...I do plan on doing mroe, a lot of it is setting up the phone so I cna work under it and still see the page! But thanks, feedback like yours does encourage me to do mroe, I really appreciate the feedback. x

Beautiful!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Why thankyou Anne!

Brillant, Lizzie !!!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Hi Lizzie, I'm watching this video again, it's always a pleasure watching an amazing artist at work. I wish you a Happy New year. And the 'music' in the background is the perfect soundtrack for this kind of art. Thank you very much for sharing your advices.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Happy New Year to you too! And for the flattery. That'll see me through to the end of the week at least. X

I loved this and also learned a lot. I think your berries are perfect!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

Жыл бұрын

I'm so glad! Not sure about perfect, but they're certainly ok, I think. And the technique is pretty easy to emulate, I hope. Here's to shiny berries and autumn time!

You have done such s beautiful job. You painted it very nicely

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Hiya Bhupi, thank you so much! What a generous comment.

Beautiful.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Totally stunned in the difference after the ink was added, wow...also DS moonglow, one of my fav colors!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

I know, right? Those inks are just luscious. Yes, the DS moonglow is a beauty. I love it for shadows. x

That was great to watch. I have just finished some holly berries. Think I will go back and start them again. Thank you

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

I always find taking on board different approaches, but keeping your own ideas in the mix is the best way. So don't disregard what you've already done, just build on it! And also, sometimes other approaches may not work, or just not be as fun as your own. But if the berries does help with your holly, then I'm so pleased. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. x

Thank you for making this Lizzie! Funny enough, I've been eyeing a Rowan tree that I pass walking to the market. Now I'll have something to help kick me off. And thankfully I won't have the pressure of being on camera, as I imagine that is very difficult! Even if it didn't turn out the way you would have liked, thank you so much for posting anyway. I think it looks beautiful :) and this is enormously helpful

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Amaya, thats wonderful to hear. SO glad you liked it.

Absolutely lovely! I like the dark graphite in addition to the paint!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Paula I love working with pencil as well as with watercolour and although you don't often see the two mediums together I think they can look lovely. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, and for your generosity. X

@nursdurkin

4 жыл бұрын

Lizzie Harper you are more than welcome! Love your work❣️

Thanks you I really enjoyed this tutorial in actual time. I agree it is hard to see when things are speeded up. Good to see that even professional artists can sometimes get frustrated with what they produce , I think its very important for beginners and students to see this and work through it as a learning experience that informs further painting . I will be interested to try your approach of working from darks to mid-tones to lights. I think its good to work in many different ways and thank you for the inspiration. Many thanks for filming and looking forward to watching more of your videos.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Hen, Thanks for your comment. Yes, everyone makes mistakes! A big part of getting better is knowing how to hide them and not have to throw the whole thing away! I appreciate your positive feedback, thanks.

Thanks for the excellent video Lizzie. I really enjoyed the commentary. It's just like sitting next to you. What a privilege.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad it worked for you. I like the idea that it's as if you were at a real-life demo, so it's great to know that's how it felt. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

@thepoetryofcolor

3 жыл бұрын

I wholeheartedly agree!!! 💕💕

This is wonderful! I purchase the Dr Martin liquid watercolours and wasn’t sure I would use them but now I can see just how valuable they are, those berries literally pooped.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

I know, I totally love those inks. Great for making the colour of butterflies and beetles ping out, too.

Love it ❤

Looks amazing thank you 🤗

@LizzieHarperillustrator

Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome 😊

Love your painting

@LizzieHarperillustrator

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

Magnificent, no flop!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

Thankyou!

You are so presice with that great little brush.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! It holds a point rather wonderfully.

I can't believe how much heavy graphite you have on the paper before you start painting - and yet, it all comes together beautifully. Thanks for the great video!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, it's odd how some papers allow you to lift graphite with a rubber at the end of the painting process and others dont. i got caught out by this recently when I was totally unable to rub out some pencil lines from behind pale flowers. Arches HP, it was. Unpleasant and unexpected! But yes, a lot fo the time the pencil just rubs off. Makes life so much simpler!

Lizzie, thank you so much for doing this! Yes, definitely the real-time videos are so very much more helpful than the speeded up videos. In fact, when I see a "speed painting", I generally flip right past it because I know I won't really get any help from it. I know you weren't thrilled with the end result of this one, but I think it was wonderful because as artists we all make mistakes, and having you show how things can be rescued is amazingly helpful. Also, just your general flow of how you proceed by beginning with darkest darks, etc., I found to be incredibly helpful. I hope you will do more of these!! Thank you so much!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Jean, thanks so much for this comment. I agree with the speeded-up things; they look like magic being woven in front of your eyes, but there's not a lot you can learn from them because it happens too fast! The format of real-time is lightly problematic (I just finished painting a swallow that took 14 hours to complete. Not THAT would be dull!) but I think real-time snippets of larger projects could work. Ill see what works. Thanks again for your comment!

@jeanachang

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, snippets would be great. For example, maybe show how to get the turns to look realistic on petals, using proper shading. I for one, always seem to put the shading in the wrong spot. I'm sure others have good ideas. Thank you again so much for doing this! I love your work. (And even though you weren't happy with the berries, I still learned from it, and they were waaay better than I would have done! :)

Lizzie, thanks for posting this! I do so enjoy watching the entire process as opposed to the sped up videos. And I very much enjoyed your commentary as well. I look forward to seeing more real-time videos from you. It is very informative and helpful. And being from the US, I don't have the benefit of attending your in-person instruction, so the videos are great!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! And thanks so much. I just wish I had a little more time to produce them more regularly. Thanks for such lovely feedback.

Great video, seeing how the dark was put down first was interesting.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Yeah, laying down darks first is def not traditional, but it really helps me know where the shadows are. Works for me. Enjoy your illustrating!

LoLs....never boring to watch a great artist at work for we aspiring artists in watercolor. I have watched many tutorials that is in real time such as Geoff Kersey, which his is over an hour long. Thank you so much for showing how you do your beautiful work! I have checked out your blog which you provided in another tutorial. I will be visiting that often. Thank you so much.

@ladyhecate9450

4 жыл бұрын

And I love how you carry on. Jibber jabber...much can be learned from that and your jibber jabber is delightful.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Dear Delores, Im delighted my real-time painting works well for you, and that you enjoy it. I also lvoe that you like my wretched jibber-jabbering. My family would beg to use a word other than "delightful" to describe it, I fear... Thank you. x

Hi Lizzie, I've been having troubles with progressing with my water colour and seeing you work dark to light has given me some insight into better managing my strokes and colour matching. It is much appreciated; thank you!

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Oh good! I hope the sort of "reverse" approach helps, I know its not the traditional way to do it, but it works for me. So glad to hear it works for you as well. Thanks for the comment!

Very much relate to your preference for working dark first. I find this way less confusing for eyes and brain THANKYOU very much for all the brilliant tutorials and sharing your skills and dedication. Superb Thankyou

@LizzieHarperillustrator

10 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Yes, I so totally cant hold all the pale-to-dark info in my mind. And I was reading a book about graphite techniques yesterday - same thing! All pale then you pick out the darks. My brain would burst, I think. Midtones as a roadmap. SOOO much easier. And maybe Ill never reach the giddy heights of the Greats who get RHS medals. I totally admire the way they build up layer on layer to find shadows and nuances of shade, and I am in awe of their creations. But for the commerical and identification work I do, this technique works really well. And it seems to make sense to lots of other artists, such as yourself, too. Which makes me very happy. Here's to dark to lights! Thanks for the comment, Karol. Much appreciated. x

You are so amazingly talented and delicate of touch. Exquisite beautiful work. Ps. I too was taught from dark to light, working in greyscale for a whole year before Prof allowed students to touch colour. Toughest year of my art life lol

@LizzieHarperillustrator

Жыл бұрын

Hi Annabella, oh wow, a year in Monochrome. What an excellent grounding! Every now and then when I do teaching I try to encourage monochrome studies, and the students most assuredly grumble, even though I think the work they create is sometimes markedly better than their full colour studies. Fascinating you were taught dark to light, you are literally the ONLY other person I've encountered who uses or was taught this way. Love it! Thanks for your comment! X Lizzie

Gracias por compartir tus conocimientos. Saludos de Chile. Sur de América.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Gracias!

thank you for this one...very helpful for a beginner...

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

I love your approach and the way you teach, I've already learmed so much from only a few videos. Your sense of fun and willingness to make mistakes is lovely. Thank you for sharing! I'd love to see your approach to multi-chambered berries such as raspberry or blackberries, if you ever feel inclined. ❤

@LizzieHarperillustrator

11 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you! And berries like raspberries, blackberries etc. Great idea. Ill see if I can do one this autumn, perhaps. Thanks for the suggestion.

@winonaho

11 ай бұрын

@@LizzieHarperillustrator I know you're a busy lady, but I'll look forward to it as you have time. Thank you! 🩵

Thank you very much.

Were those real birds in your garden? They add to the charm and beauty of your painting. I am looking at the 11 thumbs down and am shocked. How can ANYONE not like this? I can only think they may possess a bit of jealousy?

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Aww Sherry, cheers for that. I don;t mind about thumbs down, I should imagine those viewers were bored to tears by me rambling on, so that's fine. I'm lucky enough to have never been trolled or have had horrid comments left, a few thumbs down are a good reflection of the diversity of opinion and feeling out there. The birds were in my garden; mostly I'm oppressed by the local bad-boys; a flock of about 20 house sparrows who come and shout at me in the studio, and quarrel on the windeosill where I leave food. But we get Thrush, robins, crows, jackdaw, and blackbirds too. Sometimes, if I record a film in the depths of winter, I pop on a recording of the birds when I edit the film, just so any viewers know what my soundtrack is like when I work (unless Im listening to a great podcase or audiobook, of course...), but I'm assiduous in making sure it reflects my garden visitors. Thanks for noticing, and for such a generous and lovely post! XX

Good tips.thank you

@LizzieHarperillustrator

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

Merci beaucoup Lizzie 🌷

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Merci, Barbara!

amazing printing

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Im glad you like the way I paint.

I admire you so much and follow you in Instagram too. Thank you for such a great tutorial 😍😍

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

I hope you dont mind that I have the same content on youtube and on Instagram! You're very patient. Many thanks for your support, and Im so glad the rowan berry tutorial was useful. x

I love your videos. Do you allow the paint to dry between layers?

@LizzieHarperillustrator

Жыл бұрын

Hi Alison That's a good question. Mostly, yes. But not always. In a film I did of an autumn leaf I use wet on wet. (It was commissioned for an art society so it's not listed for public view, but as you ask about wet on wet washes you're more than welcome to watch: kzread.info/dash/bejne/qmWesrxrlK6Zg9I.html). In that film I allow reds to mingle into a wet layer of yellows. But when I do apply wet to wet, Im always pretty disciplined about it. I dont like losing crospness. But experiment, sometimes allowing colours to blur can be exactly what's needed. Thanks for the question, and your kind comment about my films. yours Lizzie

The video is really helpful and nice. I will try to do from dark to light. What brushes are you using? They seem so pointed and nice. Thanks.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Maggie, they ARE! Theyre Winsor and Newton Series 7 sable pbrushes and I LOVE them. My go-to one is a Number 1, but I also use number 2 and number 0, 00, and even 000. They hold their point and a lot of paint too.

Brilliant

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Fiona

Hi Lizzie, thank you very much for sharing this beautiful painting. I am learning botanical illustration and this is helpful, could you tell me what size/number brush are you using. Thanks.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Hello, yes of course and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I use Winsor and Newton Series 7 brushes, and my main one is a number 1. I also use smaller ones like 0, 00, and 000. But my go-to brush is a no. 1.

I'm so happy to have found your wonderful videos! 1st question.... do you always leave your drawing so bold? I've seen others leave A very faint drawing. 2nd....what size brushes do you use for the majority of your painting? And I could never be bored and go off for coffee!!😁 Thank you.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

Жыл бұрын

Hi Elaine, thankyou so much! I do tend to draw quite bold, this is true. Often, once the illustration is complete, I will rub out the pencil lines which get removed without lifting the paint. Most of my work is done with a size 1 brush, although I ran out last week and am currently using a size 2 which seems to be working fine too. And thankyou, It makes me laugh that people are so sweet that that actually do watch me rambling on as they watch paint dry, but I appreciate it so much Thanks. x

More, please! 😊

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

ThankyoU!!

Wonderful demo I’m a total newbie to watercolour what tutorials do you recommend for a beginner I want to learn this type of art. It’s beautiful

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Donna You could do worse than look up "Botanical Art for Beginners" on Facebook and post this exact question. I'm not sure about beginners, really,, mainly draw a lot, is my advice. But tutorials can be really helpful. Im sure the members of the FB group would be happy to give you advice. ENjoy! Yours,. Lizzie

I would like to see the completed painting please.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

HI Laura. Apologies for not showing the finished study. I try to show a few seconds of it at the end. In this case, the study stayed as a study, so I never finished all the leaves and details. That's the joy of a sketchbook study, you can leave it unfinished. Unfortunately, I cant seem to post images in the comments box, or I would. If you want to see a high resolution scan of the final image you coudl email me on info@lizzieharper.co.uk or take a look at it on my website: lizzieharper.co.uk/image/rowan-sorbus-aucuparia-2/. Apologies. Yours Lizzie

How great to see a watercolorist NOT working light to dark, as I’ve really struggled with watercolor because my instincts, because of all the other mediums I’ve used most of my life, are to work dark to light. I have had no luck with those Windsor Newton series 7 brushes, I find they don’t keep a point at all for me. Starting to wonder if it’s my well water. I have DS Moonglow...it’s a gorgeous color, one of my favorites, along with Lunar Blue.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Ive heard about DS moonglow, keep meaning to get round to investing in a tube... If not Winsor ad Newton, how about Rosemarys Brushes? I dont get on with them, but Ive heard other botanical illustrators swooning for them. And theyre cheaper! Youre right though, it is a matter of finding the equipment that works best for you. And lovely to have someone liking the dark to light approach, it often freaks people out! Thanks for the comment. x

@geslinam9703

3 жыл бұрын

Lizzie Harper I don’t have any of the Rosemary brushes yet. My favorite sables are the Raphael kolinsky and Escoda Reserva...however, lately I’ve been trying to find good synthetics - DaVinci Casaneo brushes are great, especially the quill version. I have a size 0 and a 2, they are like a 6 and an 8 round, and keep beautiful points. They also have smaller detail rounds in the line, today a set of 5 in size 0 to 4 arrived from Amazon. They look a lot like the WN brushes. I will let you know if they turn out to be a good buy. I’d really love to switch over to mostly synthetics.....,if I can find ones that perform as well as sable

Lizzie, wonderful video - I’m binge watching these. Not sure if you’ll see this comment but in the event you do - can you recommend your favorite Dr. Martin ink colors?. That is what are your top or “go to” colors. There are three sets I see on their website and I would like to streamline my choices to the most useful for the botanical artist. Your opinion on what top colors you use would be most helpful. All the best from Dallas! Sandy

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

Hiya Sandy, thanks for this. yes, the sets are a bit proscriptive. But buying the DM inks individually means a large outlay for big bottles, and one little bottle lasts a LONG time. My favourites are probably Pthalo blue or ultramarine; Quin. magenta (a firm fave); and Hansa yellow medium or Gamboge. A lot of the reds are very similar - Vermillion, Permenent red and brilliant cadmium red are close matches. The darker reds are similar too, with crimson lake, Deep red rose, carmine (a bit yellower) and Alizarin crimson being similar. The browns and greens I rarely use. And other colours I use a bot (not in the top 3 though) are turquoise, cobalt violet, and Hansa yellow light. Hope this helps a bit. Wish I clould attach images in the comments section cause Ive got all the colours painted out. If youd like to see it let me know by email and I can send a scan to you, then you can make an informed decision about what colours would work best with your work. My email is info@lizzieharper.co.uk Cheers Sandy x

@sicplano

2 жыл бұрын

@@LizzieHarperillustrator thank you so much Lizzie. Starting out with the basic three forces me to work on my color mixing skills if I need anything else. I realize you’re using them to add saturation (hope that’s the right word) when needed. Helps to know which work the best for these subjects. Thanks for taking the time to reply as it will help many who reference watch your vids! Sandy

@LizzieHarperillustrator

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure Sandy

I actually think your studies with the pencil, wash, and complete portions are lovely.. in a way superior to a full painting because they have that artsy feel and charm.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Thankyou! They're tools for me, although I've noticed that they have appeal to other people. They're one of my fave ways of working, which may well explain why they appeal, maybe the joy of doing them comes across? I also am a sucker for a bit of brutally concise line drawing... Thanks.

Interesting……. I just had someone refer to this tree only days ago. My next door neighbors daughter is Rowan. Now I’ve seen it for myself.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

Ah, it's that co-incidence thing. isn't it odd? You hear about something for the first time ever...and then you hear about it again, the next week. I've never quite understood that. But I do love it.

Moonglow is fugitive, but you can mix a duplicate that is not. Let me know if you want I will go hunt down a video that shows you how and the lightfast tests.

Is it a good idea to let the darkest tones dry before one puts in the mid-tones, and the mid-tones dry before the lightest areas?

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Mac, Im so sorry this comment slipped through the net! Apologies! Yes, always let your different washes dry fully before layering on the next one. Unless, of course, you want the paint to bleed, in which case wet on wet is fine! Thanks for taking the time to comment!

Don't know if it's the same on everyone's screen, but if you go to upper right hand corner, click on 3 dots, gives you opportunity to speed up or slow down the video. Of course, audio is also faster or slower. I slow it down to watch the details on shading, etc, then watch again at regular speed to get the audio portion.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Wow, I had no idea that was a possibility! Thanks for sharing that, it's really useful to know! x

@brendaseader1669

3 жыл бұрын

@@LizzieHarperillustrator lol, I was just watching your rose leaves video when your reply popped up! Glad I could help, you've certainly given me a lot of pleasure with your tutorials! Thank you!

Thank you for this video. Light to dark, dark to light?

@LizzieHarperillustrator

4 жыл бұрын

Hiya Larry, Yes. So I do darks first, then mid-tones, then lights. Then I go back and pick out the darkest darks. In effect, as someone pointed out to me recently, I actually start with mid-tones then work through lights and return to crisp up the darks. Not conventional, but so much easier to get my head round than the traditional lights to darks, where you've got no road map to follow! Thanks for the comment. x Lizzie

@larryglatt2548

4 жыл бұрын

@@LizzieHarperillustrator Thank you for your quick understandable response. Have a great day.

Do you find that the fibers in Arches hot-pressed paper tend to lift easily? For example, after the first wash on the paper, the fibers of the paper are already visible, creating spots from where the paint pools around the fibers? EDIT: Perhaps this is what you mean later in the video when you say the paper is "furry"? Even on unpainted sheets, there is a furry texture to them.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Hiya. Yes, I know what you mean. The tiny stains are indeed a touch familiar. But it doesn't happen on every sheet of Arches, and often only when I'm doing a whole series of wet washes on the same spot. The lack on consistancy is, across the board, what drives me mad about paper choice. Have you tried Fluid 100 HP and Stonehenge Aqua HP? These are my latest go-to papers. I still miss the old Fabriano, though...

@ThingOfSome

5 жыл бұрын

@@LizzieHarperillustrator Haven't tried those yet. Thanks for the tip!

Please provide link for buying Paint Brush and Colours used in the videos.

@LizzieHarperillustrator

3 жыл бұрын

Hiya, the paints I use tend to be winsor and newton www.winsornewton.com/uk/paint/watercolour/professional-watercolour/ and the brush I use is a series 7 winsor and newton sable, size 1 www.winsornewton.com/uk/brushes/watercolour-brushes/series-7-kolinsky-sable-brushes/. Hope this helps. x

Thank you; this is wonderful. Please could you fix the focus of your camera on the page? The auto focus makes it 'throb' a bit as you work. 😁

@LizzieHarperillustrator

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry about that. I think I need to go on a course about filming as I paint, you're not the first to mention the autofocus! Ill try to make it less woozy in future. Ah technology! Give me a paintbrush and a piece of paper any day! Cheers for the feedback, and for taking the time to leave a comment. x

Thank you! I have lots of rubbish accidents 🤗

@LizzieHarperillustrator

5 жыл бұрын

Ugh, I know! Just on Friday I cleverly flung a loaded paintbrush onto a painting of a rose I was doing. Luckily it landed on the blank sheet not the flower, but oh my goodness did it take a lot of process white gouache to cover up the smear!