I was really looking forward to this one! Thank you Katya for this challenging and informative class!

The tip on wetting the paper a few times instead of just one was the most useful for me because of the hot weather in Brazil right now. That tip really helps keeping the paper wet a bit longer. Also, the melanine sponge! I didn't know it and the uses to fix little mistakes (I ordered online and I'm excited to try it!). The exercises were really good too, to practice everything before the big project. 

I really wated to finish this project because a hydrangea was one of the first paintings I did when I started watercolors. I wanted to see how much I developed since last august. That's why I chose a different reference picture as well - I wanted to try a similar composition.

I realize I didn't get the same look/effect Katya shows in the class... But my materials are different (student grade, not cotton paper...) and that affects the results. I decided then to do the best I could with what I have, using most of the techniques Katya teaches.

I spent hours and hours on those petals! And although they are not perfect yet, I really enjoyed the whole process of putting this piece together. And I'm sure that, with more practice, I can improve more and more.

 

Below are some pictures of the process. 

 

1. Reference photo by Tiffany Chan (unsplash)

2. Drawing transfered to watercolor paper (Canson Aquarelle XL 300gsm - A4)

3. First washes (I basically used the colors mixed: sky blue, ultramarine blue, purple and prussian blue with a bit of orange - Pentel Arts watercolors)

4. More petals & pretty dirty water jar :)

5. Almost done

6. Final piece

 

7. And here is the little comparison with my painting from August 2018

Thank you for checking out my project!

Happy painting everybody :)