In this article I share the joy of painting a still life watercolor of a vase of nasturtium flowers picked from my garden! I found it was important for me to take photos of the flowers in the vase at different angles to help fill in some of the details I could see with my eyes, but that didn’t show up from just one angle as I was painting the vase on my table.
My favorite view of the vase of flowers included a cantilever image that had greenery wider on one side than the other, hence I chose to put the vase off-center in the painting composition to help maintain visual balance.
I have included the reference photos I took for you to use and try this project below.
Nasturtium in Blue Vase cantilever composition watercolor painting on 100% cotton paper by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes. At the time of writing this article, this artwork is available in my Etsy store as the original and signed prints.
Some of the things you will learn from this workshop include:
why to photograph a still life before painting;
how to make a loose color sketch or sketches with pencil and watercolor in a journal to work out placement, proportions and color scheme;
techniques for selecting and squeezing watercolors onto a palette;
color mixing ideas;
how to move around the painting so areas dry before returning to add details;
how to use the back end of a brush or stiff tool to incise lines into wet watercolors;
how to use a small brush to add details;
and more…
Reference photos of nasturtium in a blue vase with a quick watercolor journal sketch.
Still Life Watercolor Floral Workshop Video Replay
Below is the full video workshop of my Live painting session. The paints, surfaces and accessories used in the video are listed afterwards in this article. Enjoy! 🎨
Here are the video timeline sections if you want to jump to a particular part of the live session:
0:00:00 - Intro To Still Life Painting with Multi-View Reference Photos
0:06:37 - Art Supplies Review
0:23:52 - Composition Ideas with Photo Enhancements
0:25:22 - Initial Quick Sketch in Watercolor Journal
0:56:36 - Watercolor Tube Paints Palette Prep
1:07:23 - Full Size Painting on Watercolor Paper Block
Feel free to ask me any follow-up questions in the comments below. Thanks for watching! 😍
Reference Photos for Still Life Floral Painting Projects
Supplies for Watercolor Still Life Florals.
Supplies List for Still Life Floral Watercolor Painting Workshop
Here is a list of the Watercolor paints I used during this live session:
QoR Magenta
QoR Phthalo Green
QoR Cadmium Yellow Light
Schmincke Cobalt Cerulean Blue
Schmincke Cobalt Green Pure
Schmincke Turner's Yellow
Schmincke Scarlet Red
Schmincke Manganese Violet
Daniel Smith Aussie Red Gold
Daniel Smith Quinacridone Sienna
Daniel Smith Green Apatite
Holbein Cadmium Red Light
* Remember these paint tubes come in 5ml and 11-15ml tubes. I suggest you check both sizes to determine the best value.
Here are links to the supplies list for the papers, paints and accessories shown during the video. As a Blick Affiliate and Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases for links below that lead to Blick Art Materials or Amazon.
QoR Watercolor Paints on Blick - https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101491996-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fqor-modern-watercolors%2F
Schmincke Horadam Watercolor Paints on Blick - https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101491996-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fschmincke-horadam-aquarell-artist-watercolor-paints%2F
Daniel Smith Watercolor Paints on Blick - https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101491996-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fdaniel-smith-watercolors-paints%2F
Holbein Watercolor Paints on Blick - https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101491996-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fholbein-artists-watercolor-tubes%2F
White Ceramic Tray to Use as Painting Palette 10x4.72in Set of 2 - https://amzn.to/4qrex7L
Crow Canyon Mini Square White Enamel Trays Blue Rim 4.75x4.75in Set of 4 - https://amzn.to/49sh3EX
Fuumuui Hardbound Spiral Notebook 100% Cotton Watercolor Paper 140lb 20 Sheets and Fuumuui Watercolor Paper Block 100% Cotton 140lb 22 Sheets - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FNVGZ1DB?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.GBWJX4WGWFGV&linkCode=tr1&tag=dietzart-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.GBWJX4WGWFGV_1768799189548
Jack Richeson Watercolor Paper Cold Press 135lb 4x6in 50 Sheets - https://amzn.to/3XX0nPn
Canson XL Coldpress Watercolor Paper Pad 140lb 9x12in 30 Sheets - https://amzn.to/488fvzr
Canson XL Coldpress Watercolor Paper Wire Bound 140lb 9x12in 30 Sheets - https://amzn.to/3Xh1n0n
Fuumuui Professional Series 10 Brush Set - https://amzn.to/4bkcca1
Princeton Velvetouch Willow's Blender 3/8" Brush - https://amzn.to/4b6QdDE
Color Wheel - https://amzn.to/3ZkzJR2
Watercolor Block Leaf Opener - https://amzn.to/4bcfxIt
Faber Castell Collapsible Tulip Edge Brush Holder Water Cup - https://amzn.to/3Pxxyon
General's The Master's Brush Soap 2.5oz Jar - https://amzn.to/49k2Jgq
General's The Master's Brush Soap 24oz Tub - https://amzn.to/49k2Qsm
Wood Brush Rest Stand Set of 2 Holds 4 Brushes Each - https://amzn.to/3OrurOi
My Recommended Cloth-Like Viva Paper Towels 3 Double Rolls - https://amzn.to/3EPZhOW
🎨🎨🎨
Note that most of the list of supplies above can be found on the Blick Art Materials website and shipping is generally free for orders of $79 or more. Check them out here:
https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2F
************************************If you would like to see other paints, mediums and art supplies that I recommend, click below to go to the Supply Links page on my website:
https://www.dietzart.gallery/supply-links
Or, check out art supply recommendations on my Amazon Storefront. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/tristinadietzelmes
FREE Live Art Lessons Sunday Afternoons
SUNDAY afternoons I teach a FREE ART LESSON simulcast on YouTube Live and on the WhatNot auction platform followed by a giveaway and sale of my handmade artworks, gift items and some art supplies on WhatNot. You can follow the QR code appearing in the YouTube video or follow the Invite link in the video description to join me on WhatNot for some great Live Auction Art & Gifts deals.
If you're new to Whatnot, sign up with the following link and get $15 in Whatnot credit to use to shop on the platform:
https://www.whatnot.com/invite/tristi...
I hope you'll join me and the thriving Artisan community over on WhatNot soon!
Ruby Phalaenopsis Orchid watercolor painting on 100% cotton paper by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes. At the time of writing this article, this artwork is available in my Etsy store as the original watercolor painting.
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Happy Arting! 🎉