Your class project is to create your own modern Philodendron leaf watercolor painting!

Begin by watching my demonstration to familiarize yourself with the techniques. The wet-on-dry method we'll use is perfect for achieving those clean, contemporary edges while allowing for beautiful color transitions and bleeds. Don't worry about perfect symmetry – natural leaves have their own unique character!

Start with the provided sketch or create your own to establish your basic leaf shape. Free-hand painting is also fun if you prefer that. Then, fill your palette with the colors I suggested to create your palette of greens. Work systematically from light to dark, brushstroke by brushstroke to build your Philodendron. Load you brush will a different green for each lobe to achieve depth. Create smooth transitions between colors while maintaining those crisp outer edges that give the piece its modern feel.

Always test your green mixtures on scrap paper first. This helps you understand how the colors will blend and lets you practice achieving the right paint consistency for clean edges.

I'd love to see your finished piece (or work in progress) in the project gallery! Tag me @livingpattern and use #livingpattern to be featured on my Instagram account.

Project Resources:

Template: Philodendron Leaf Sketch

Elizabeth Levy

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