Cyclamen

Well now - this is really good (not that I should sound surprised!) - you've caught this flower without using its natural colour and have left us thinking we've actually seen it in full colour.... the magic of monochrome; except that most of us can't pull it off. Lovely, delicate brushwork in this, and all the better for your having gone in with the brush and no preliminary drawing.

Wow Louise this is another step up - really, really, REALLY good, in fact I think this is your best watercolour. Brilliant.

I think this is where you talent lies, Louise. You are amazingly good at knowing exactly where to place your brush and you don't need guidelines or pencil marks. The sepia tones are very different and give a fresh perspective to this flower. Very striking work.

Well thank you Mr Jones, Joseph and Thea for your exceptionally kind comments! I like to do a bit of plant painting now and again. It takes a bit of concentration and what I call 'looking hard' at the subject. As for not doing any preliminary drawing, it's actually easier I think. There are no pencil lines to stop the flow of the paint brush and non of that horrible rubbing out and damaging the paper. You just have to look hard and place the paint with confidence. Also, the painting always looks so much better when the paint has dried and settled so it's best not to push it around and fiddle.

Love this-really interesting subtle effects

Oh yes, great painting Louise!

Super work Louise, the tones are perfect.

Thank you David, Fiona and Stephen.

Wow Louise, that is something!! Robert and yourself have said exactly what I would like to say but much better. So please read both comments again and imagine that's Satu. Well done you!!

Thanks Satu! Can I pass on a tip that others might find helpful? Back in my college days (yes Robert, a long time ago), we used to do plant drawing once a week, every week, and I remember the teacher telling us to imagine the plant wooshing and pushing (pooshing as she said) out of the ground..lol She meant that we should paint in the direction that the plant grows, ie, paint the petals outwards, starting from the base of the petal, same with the leaves and stems.

Woosh and poosh - might try that - and like the idea of a monotone study - works really well and a good exercise.

You have made every brush stroke count Louise. Lovely tones. Well done.

I love the way the plant is 'pooshing' out of the vase! ps I was in Manchester on Sat and guess wot? No Rain, super city!!

Many thanks Michael, Chris and Debs!

This really is a cracker Louise and thanks for the tip on the wooshing and pooshing :)

Lovely painting, you are getting very precise with that brush Louise.

Thanks Val and Carole. Funny how we remember certain things. I can hear her words even now when I paint plants and I usually smile at the memory!

Absolutely lovely - a real quality leap. So difficult to do but you've carried it off brilliantly.

Really, really elegant, a painting that packs a punch! Superb work, Louise!

It's been said. I'm coming late to the party here!

Thank you Kim, Seok and Gudrun!