Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 1 - student project

After a long walk through the forest with Bettina, we decided to collect beautiful plants with fresh bright colors. Rosehips and Ivy and this funny "nobody knows what kind of plant" were catching our attention. So we decided to use these for this project.

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 2 - student project

This is Ivy painted in Acryl. Bettina prefers Acryl. The light blue background is with watercolor.

This is the first painting of Letter paper, already used as a messenger of heart.

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 3 - student project

This Ivy was with oil painted on a light grey paper. It was somehow dissappointing, because the paper took in all the color. So much color needed to applicated to get a strong red and green. So we decided to color the paper first with watercolor and then paint on it.

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 4 - student project

I used a yellow paper and colored it orange, using Schminke Watercolor cadmiumyellow light andp ermanent red. I kept the strokes diagonal to bring more movement into the picture. I had difficulties with the leaves but enjoyed painting the berries. The little dark on the berries I made with an inkpen.

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 5 - student project

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 6 - student project

I enjoyed this one very much. Especially the sharp pinned leaves i decided to use a dark yellow tone, with a very thing brush. There is not so much on it, but I felt it is more calm like this.

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 7 - student project

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 8 - student project

Finally the rosehips! I tried to bring a frosty expression on them. At first with on a white aquarell paper. The colors came out so beautifully. While painting I discovered the little tiny rosebuds preparing for spring inbetween the rosethorns. Like they being protected by the thorns, always to thorns on each side, made me feel the wonder of life.

The frost gave me alot of thinking. I tried with chalk, with white color pencil and finally decided to use a strong bristled brush and a tiny bit of oil paint and voilà, see yourself. Thats the best I could get. Maybe somebody has another idea how to solve this problem.

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 9 - student project

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 10 - student project

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 11 - student project

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 12 - student project

I was not so happy that the frost did not show so well on the white paper so I tried again with a colored paper. Unlucky it was not so good for watercolors, The paper absorbed the paint so much that the color was always pale and I had to apply it several times and it does not have the brightness of the red on the white background. But the ice is better visible. I applied it with a white pencil.

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 13 - student project

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 14 - student project

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 15 - student project

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 16 - student project

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 17 - student project

I really enjoyed this project. As I experimented with watercolors, I believe guache colors are maybe more easy to use, Or I just need more practice. If you have another project again, I might try again.

Thank you for sharing and looking at my pieces.

Few days ago I cut the withered flowers in my garden. The orange "Lampions" of the Physalislike flower I kept for making flowerarrangements for autumn decoration, not sure yet what it will be. Wanting to try out your classproject I decided to use these.

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 18 - student project

Quickly a sketch composition following your example

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 19 - student project

This is my work in progress. I enjoyed the color mixing and the 5 different types of orange. I used cadmium yellow light and permanent red 3, and indian yellow and permanent red 3. For the green I used ultramarine blue and cadmium yellow light. which made a delightful bright green color.

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 20 - student project

Here we are! I am proud to see my autumn letter paper. i love it. Thank you for giving me this inspiring tutorial. I love it.

Festive Letter paper with plants in winter - image 21 - student project

Miriam Spiegl

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