More banksias

Have just finished another banksia painting. I adore these flowers - they are so earthy and unique yet can be so colourful and exciting. Detail is my thing - so nothing more enjoyable than to sit for hours (with short breaks) and work on the fine detail. It is all about Observation.

 

 

Finished painting
Banksia menzieseii and Banksia prionotes



Detailed drawing and first washes

 

 

 Am now anxious to get started on another few paintings as I have personal deadlines for "before Christmas" . Things will be really hectic from then on. Starting work very early (up at 4.30am today) gives me more hours in the day.

 

 

Banksia prionotes - finished

I can finally put closure on my banksia prionotes painting. I began it when I miraculously had some spare time. Then of course the work began pouring in and I also had article deadlines to meet. So this painting seemed to drag on. Was almost finished when I went to Canberra to do a workshop. So very pleased to share the painting with you.

 

My favourite part is the detail.

 

 

I have new ideas swimming around in my head for a couple of new paintings. Firstly I will do a small painting of a delightful grevillea I collected in Canberra, Grevillea langiera. It is a delightful and colourful dwarf plant with many small leaves and exquisite red flowers.

 

The preliminary work is already completed so it will not take long - final last words. Before I do that however, I must get some prep work done for my weekend workshop next Saturday at WEA Sydney on Pen and Wash Sketching, and also prepare some drawings and more handouts for my Banksia workshops in Beechworth Victoria 25-26 May and Canberra 21-22 September.

 

I love the  intracacies of banksias, their woody appearance and the flowing movement of the coarse leaves.

 

 

 



Workshop Canberra Botanic Gardens

Yesterday saw the sun setting after a glorious day - and the bats flying directly over our apartment. Some fly so low I feel I could reach up and touch them.

Notice the two bats in the photo. Sometimes there are many many dozens of them.

 

Have been working on my new painting of the Banksia prionotes and making good progress, as much as time will allow. I am working on the detailed areas now, which is my favourite part. I love the meditative experience of botanical painting, as it takes you into another world, where time stands still while you paint away contentedly.

 

In a few days I will be heading off to Canberra, where I am teaching a three-day workshop at the Botanical Gardens on 'Painting Australian Native Plants'. The subjects will be taken (under strict supervision) from the Gardens.

 

I am looking forward immensely to my stay in Canberra and meeting more of the lovely ladies that paint there. I will be sure to take lots of warm clothes as it has been very cold in the mornings and evenings.

 

Here are a few progess photos of my banksia painting.

 

 

 

 



 

and this is where I am now -

 

 

 

 

Not much time to finish this painting before I go - as have quite a bit of preparation to do for the workshop. So near and yet so far.....

 

 

I already have the subject and design in my head for my next painting, which will be something a little different.

Harbour Bridge Sketch

My excurisons into the city are always so enjoyable. I can walk into the city from my place, so it isnt as if I have a long journey to get there. It is a time factor. I am usually busy with other projects and of course - work.

 

I say to myself  "I must do this more often" and I should. Below is my sketch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from Circular Quay.

 

 



On to another topic, I was given a beautiful bunch of Australian native plants and flowers. I fell in love with a Banksia prionotes so have become a little obsessed with that. Yesterday afternoon I did the drawing of the flower and today will do the leaves - all ready to begin the painting.

 

I will be running some Banksia workshops this year. The thing to remember is "There are no shortcuts!"  I love detail, so I love painting the intricate details. Takes me into another world.