Gum Blossom Step by Step

Well everyone I thought it was time that I added another step by step to this blog.... the principles are the same as the simple tulip but this step by step is a bit more involved. If you haven't done the tulip step by step I would recommend that you do that one first to get he techniques right. It also explains things in much more depth than I have done here.

You are very welcome to print these instructions and pictures out - they are not copywrite. I want you to enjoy the process and have fun.

This gorgeous gum tree is a few houses away from me and provides colour at this time of the year. I have a passion about gum trees and their blossoms and this particular tree has those great blue green leaves and burgundy stems, with pink blossoms - it blooms in September through til the end of November.

Gather your supplies - gm leaves and blossoms, pencils, eraser, 2B lead pencil for drawing, felt tip pen, tissues, number 4 round brush, water and a watercolour paper pad - I use a 300gsm so I don't have to stretch the paper (yes I am lazy).

The colours I have used are basic ones that I always seem to use, in order left to right:

• Derwent Deep Cadmium
  
• Derwent Deep Vermillion
• Faber Castell Light Carmine
• Faber Castell Burnt Carmine
• Derwent Grass Green
  
• Derwent Olive Green
• Faber Castell Chrome Green Opaque
  
• Derwent Prussian Blue

You may have to remove a few flowers and buds to make it easier to draw and paint.
Otherwise the design is too complex and with be confusing to look at.
We are aiming for balance.

Carefully draw the gum leaves and blossoms with the 2B lead pencil

With the Burnt Carmine start to draw in the laves, making the
pencil lines and shading heavier where needed.
Colour the cups of the blossoms,
add the stamens
and put in the unopened gumnuts

Add the Olive Green and leave large areas uncoloured
where the light hits the leaves.
Add the green to the nuts

Use Prussian Blue to deepen areas and add the 'blueness' to the leaves

Now add the Chrome Green Opaque
to add depth of colour to the leaves

Use the Light Carmine to colour in the blooms - making the colour
much darker where they come out of the gumnut
to very light near the edges

With the Deep Vermillion strenthen the colour

Use the Grass Green around the gumnuts and add the Deep Cadmium
around the gum blossoms in a circular motion.

With a wet brush (Round number 4) start to work the paint.
Leave the white areas and re wet and dab on a tissue frequently.
Don't over work the paint or it will become muddied.

Work carefully with the gum blossom, keeping the light areas light
Little circular motions are best.
Do the yellow areas last after the pinks have dried well

Once you have finished wetting the paint this is what it looks like.
You may need to deepen the darker areas - just wait until he paint is dry first.

Once the paint is dry outline the painting if you wish.
I use a permanent Statelier 0.6
If you are outlining the painting try to be a bit
'loose' when you do the blossoms as they look a bit
contrived if your pen work is too formal.

Sign your work and enjoy

Love
Carol