Try Skillshare, It Is Truly Amazing, Promise!
I am re-posting this lovely leaves tutorial for 2 reasons, the Jewish holiday of Tu B’shebat is coming, and my favorite site, Skillshare is hosting a 2 months free deal that truly you should not pass up. I learned how to paint these leaves on Skillshare, I have learned photography tips on squishier, and while my time is limited I’m about to delve into digital illustration with Procreate, and my daughter and I are learning that on Skillshare as well. Truly truly is is the bargain of the century given the very wide range of classes available and some of them are truly amazing. Not to mention all kinds of classes on business and graphic design, interior design and more. So really, give yourself the gift of Skillshare here, and you won’t regret it, promise.
Okay, now about these watercolor leaves!
Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish holiday that celebrates the New Year for the trees starts in about 2 weeks, and if you have 30 minutes or so you can whip up some gorgeous watercolor leaf paintings and learn about practicing your brush strokes a win win crafting experience! While I have yet to actually put in the time I’d like, I’m in the process of honing/learning some illustration skills, starting with watercolor painting. It turns out that the first step is learning brush control, using a round brush, and leaves like the ones used in my fern illustrations are created with just one stroke. Pretty great I must admit, and so relaxing to paint. A friend was over the other day and she thought I had stamped all these little leaves! Of course there are so many designs one can make once you master the one stroke leaf, so give it a try and enjoy!
You’ll Need:
- watercolors (any paint and any paper can be used for this)
- watercolor paper
- round watercolor brushes, I believe I used a size 1 and a size 4, but certainly a larger brush can be used as well
How To:
- First practice painting individual leaves as follows: fill brush with paint, holding brush at an angle touch point of brush to paper, press down on brush and make stroke of desired length, then slowly life to form a point.
- To paint ferns as shown, first paint a centers stem, and then paint leaves along both sides, decreasing size of leaves as you move towards the top.
- That is it, enjoy!
