Starting on October 1, 2011 an international group of Botanical Artists will be painting a leaf a day for 30… well maybe 31 days (October has 31 days so the challenge is even greater!) I met this group of artists on Facebook. This is a closed group which is a forum for botanical artists to come together from all over the world to share their art, techniques, insecurities and successes. They have a wonderful new botanical art blog that is open to the public and I am honored to be the first Artist of the Month. Sigrid Frensen from the Netherlands interviewed me by sending me 25+ questions which I answered and she then posted them on the blog. She did a fabulous job of arranging my art and posting the Q & A. To gear us up for the 30/30 challenge I am posting a video that I did on painting a leaf. This is my first video….. it is a silent movie….. sort of like a Charlie Chaplin movie! I was in a hotel room in Costa Rica when I shot it. I had to keep running back and forth. It would have been funny to have someone video me trying to video myself! It took me longer to edit the film than it did to paint the leaf. I hope you enjoy it. Feedback is welcomed!!!!!
If you are a botanical artist and are interested in joining the group please send me an email and I will forward your request to admins of the group.
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Fantastic video Mindy ….. a video is worth a thousand words 🙂
Thanks so much,
Laura
Thanks Mindy,awesome video( love the teeny bug crawling across too),I'm definately inspired and will start painting some leaves
I so enjoyed watching you paint this leaf! You make it look so easy, especially the veins. Sounds like a interesting challenge. Would you share a bit more about this painting? I love learning about the materials other artists use!
Elizabeth- I am using Perlyene Green from Daniel Smith. It is a fabulous almost black dark green. I add it to my regular green recipe. The brown is a granulating color called Henatite from DS. The brush is a #10 Loew Cornell #7020 Ultra Round. I have had it for about 10 years and it still has a fabulous point. I paid under $20 for it. I use Fabriano wc paper 300Lb. This was done on hot press. Soft press is easier to use but I am playing with the hot press for detail purposes. Hope this helps and it will be great to have you join us for the 30/30 challenge.
THanks Mindy! Leaves are always a challenge….every time I start new painting It's like I'm painting them for the very first time! Loved watching your technique and will look forward to more videos!
Hi Mindy,
Glad to see your work again in NJ even if it is via video. Miss you. I have always enjoyed your approach to botanicals and have greatly inspired me.
Marguerite
Hi Marguerite,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am coming to NJ to teach in November at the Center for Contemporary Arts. Perhaps I will see you in person. The best to you and happy painting!
Cheers,
Mindy
Great video!
Was that all done wet-in-wet, and what was the flat brush you used to lift the vein details?
Wrenaissance Art- I am glad that you enjoyed the video. The first layer of the leaf was done wet in wet. I lift the veins using a chisel brush. See this blog post for more information about lifting veins: http://www.botanicalartpainting.com/2011/07/lifting-veins-easy-when-you-know-how/
Happy painting!
Thanks for this great video, Mindy! It reminded me of taking Big, Bold Watercolor in 2008. I keep thinking of doing a leaf a day, ever since you did that series, though October will be too chopped up. I'll keep this bookmarked for inspiration.
Hi Betsey! I got your e-mail about mandalas. They are beautiful. They are very unique and true to your vision. You could do a leaf a day and form a mandala! Happy painting.
I love your wet-in-wet painting. You have a natural flair for water color painting. Thanks for the video.
Dear Marie,
Thanks for visiting my blog and watching my video. This is the first video I have ever done of my painting technique. I was in a hotel in Costa Rica and didn’t know how to do an audio component. I am working on offering videos (talkies!) as well as some online classes. You can join my mailing list and I will send you updates or check back on the blog or my facebook page for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/BugsBeastsBotanicals.TheArtofMindyLighthipe