I only found your channel recently, but it quickly became a favorite. You’re the first, and so far only, artist who has made watercolor painting seem like something I could do.
This is one of the best things I've heard all year. To make something I love so much feel accessible to everyone is my dream, and you've just made me very happy. Give it a go! Even though it might take a while to get your head round it at the start, if you love it you'll get great results soon enough. Like everything, its just lots of practise. And none of this mumbo jumbo about talent! It's TOTALLY something anyone can do, if they want to. So glad you like the channel, and thankyou.x
Just wonderful! I love long format, though I understand it's troublesome for uploading. Your work is beautiful and I enjoy your commentary as well. Thanks for bringing us along with you.
Miss Harper, I found your channel about two weeks ago, and your videos have quickly become my best friend. I'm so pleased to see that this one was posted only a few months ago. I hope I can look forward to more! I've been working on a lot of illustration myself, some of it watercolor, and I just love listening to you narrate your pieces while I work on my own. Your watercolor techniques and tips have influenced both my traditional and digital work! Since you've essentially become an alternative podcast or audiobook for me, I absolutely support your longer videos, and, again, I hope you continue to post more. I'd be especially interested to see more insects! I'm a big fan of beetles, and haven't yet figured out how to capture their wonderful iridescence.
Hi there Maddy, I love the idea that me prattling on is like an audiobook or a podcast, and am so pleased my videos are useful. I also love that you're working on your own illustrations. That's excellent. And yes, there will be more. One on painting another wild flower in a couple of months, and another on illustrating a Flycatcher is in the pipeline. So lovely to know there's an appreciative audience waiting for them! Yours Lizzie
Once again a beautiful piece of work and an interesting and informative commentary. I love watching you work and would be happy if the videos were longer! I am always eager to see if you have posted anything new and have been looking forward to this continuation of the Cuckoo Flower video.
Thank you very much! Ah, even longer? You're a glutton for punishment! And I do'tt' know if the computer could take it, the files take about 12 hours to load to TH-cam! But that's so lovely to hear that you enjoy the films and aren't bored to tears by them. Thank you X
As always i am in great admiration of both your painting skills but also your ability to give so much information about the subject. Now i will be inspecting my cardamine for eggs lol. Thoroughly enjoyed your vlog and wish that it would go on for much longer. I literally could watch you work all day long!
Aww thanks so much for this! I'm vaguely trying to get wifi sorted in the studio so I can do live films, but need to sit down and have a proper think about thrilling things like broadband boosters... SO glamorous. But thanks for the vote of confidence, and I love that you'll be out there looking for caterpillar eggs!
Ah, I dont know all that stuff. I look it up before I do my films! Richard Lewintons "Butterflies of Britain and Northern Ireland" is an incredible (and beautifully illustrated) resource for all things UK butterfly-ish
You might enjoy the Da Vinci spotter brushes; I tried the series 7 #1 and found that the Da Vinci had a finer tip ( both purchased in 2022). Always love your videos!
Thanks for the tip! I can't remember if it's tried them or not, but I have a useful little list that I add to, and these will certainly be added to it. Thanks so much for the suggestion.
Hi Lizzie, My question after having watched several of your videos is Why do you use such short strokes? I have watch other videos and the painters use long ‘ wash’ type strokes when painting in the subject. I have such trouble painting as you do. 😬 Thank you! Also will you do any videos where the viewer can follow along with you or have online classes. Love your videos!
Hiya Patty. I don't know why I do little strokes. I think they layer up and give intense colour rather faster than looser, long strokes? It's not even something I'd considered, so thank-you for that! I don't really do online "paint-long classes, although it's a good idea. But I am doing an online workshop on January 11th, illustrating a Bird-s foot trefoil (with Butterfly conservation). It's free. Like these ones, its a pre recorded film, but I'll be there in real time to answer questions and have a chat at the end. Sign up if it appeals?: www.eventbrite.com/e/plant-illustration-with-lizzie-harper-virtual-workshop-tickets-429769471057 Thanks for the comment. x
Hi Michelle, I do indeed have a couple of tutorials on roses. The first are my blogs: lizzieharper.co.uk/2014/07/botanical-illustration-rose-step-by-step/ lizzieharper.co.uk/2020/05/botanical-illustration-of-a-japanese-rose/ lizzieharper.co.uk/2020/05/botanical-illustration-of-rose-leaves/ lizzieharper.co.uk/2013/07/step-by-step-sketchbook-study-of-a-rose/ Then there are two linked films, one on painting the flower of a Japanese rose, one on painting its' leaves (these link to the written blogs): th-cam.com/video/AUR3T3XyLtk/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/SrpTLTVRj3I/w-d-xo.html Hope this helps! Yours Lizzie
Dear Lizzie. Love your work. The Orange Tips are stunning. Am wondering if you do the Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io)? Those four eyes would be quite a challenge and I am afraid my attempts have been dismal and eventually used soft unison pastels. Would love to hear your thoughts. Regards Rob
Ah yes. The peacock butterfly. I tackle the eye spots by using watercolour quite thickly. Lay down the pale blues and yellows first, and maybe even mix in a little white gouache. Once dry, lay the blacks and reds on top, almost like you're a pointillist. Avoid blending. But you have a good point, they're really hard to do. Good luck and maybe one day I will do a Peacock butterfly.
Your painting is so precise, to the untrained eye, I imagine it looks like it could be marker drawings. Does it confuse the trained eye, too, or can you tell easily when something is paint vs. marker?
That's a good question. Its always easier to tell a medium if you have the original in front of you. Scanned or filmed images aren't as clear. But I'm not sure its about the trained eye so much as getting close enough to see the paper really clearly. Interesting question though, thank you. x
Hi Lizzie. Marialena's here :). How are you doing? I've just watched the other video were you've painted the Cuckoo flowers and I'l comment for both videos here. This illustration turned out great as always though the pink flowers looked to me quite tricky to paint. I think that it would have helped if you have drawn the flowers with a pencil with a harder graphite lead or perhaps a 0,3 mechanical pencil. The graphite drawing was so prominent that at some point I wondered if you would be able to cover it. But you 've done it. Only you can do such tricks! :) And yes... it would have been impossible to mix such a light pink without adding a bit of gouache. What is the mix that you've used for the gray patterns on the butterflies' wings? Did you mix something gray or you used watercolour graphite that is what I would have used btw as this is the exact colour of graphite. If you did mix something can you give me please the "recipe". I find it a bit difficult to mix so neutral grays.
Hi there Marialena! Thanks for your comments. I think the film makes the graphite look less honest that it is in reality, so perhaps I made the flowers seem cleverer to paint than they were! The joys of being able to erase pencil lines when you're finished. I think the butterfly wings are paint not graphite. The graphite didnt wuite have the green tint I needed. So I would have mixed purple with cobalt blue, a touch of yellow ochre, and some cobalt green. Perhaps some burnt umber too? Or some similar recipe. Thats bad I dint name the mix in the film., Ill try to remember next time. And dont worry, neutral greys are touch. opposite colours on the colour wheel are a good place to start but arent always neutral. Lovely to hear from you!
@@LizzieHarperillustrator The grey you mixed turned out completely neutral. The cooler grayest of grays. You are great kallitehnis. As for the graphite lines, You are right perhaps they looked that dark on camera because you zoom in with the camera. The pink flowers must be really small from close. I'm around most of the time but I din't email you because I didn't want to feel like I'm bothering you. I had some new pet portrait commissions too in August and I was quite busy too. Check them on my website, they are on the Pet Portrait section the two ones that are on the top.
I only found your channel recently, but it quickly became a favorite. You’re the first, and so far only, artist who has made watercolor painting seem like something I could do.
This is one of the best things I've heard all year. To make something I love so much feel accessible to everyone is my dream, and you've just made me very happy. Give it a go! Even though it might take a while to get your head round it at the start, if you love it you'll get great results soon enough. Like everything, its just lots of practise. And none of this mumbo jumbo about talent! It's TOTALLY something anyone can do, if they want to. So glad you like the channel, and thankyou.x
@@LizzieHarperillustrator I’m very excited about trying. I’m going to make time soon. :)
Just wonderful! I love long format, though I understand it's troublesome for uploading. Your work is beautiful and I enjoy your commentary as well. Thanks for bringing us along with you.
Thank you so much! That's a wonderful vote of confidence. I appreciate it. x
Incredibly beautiful. Thank you
Thank you too, so kind of you to leave a message.
Look forward to watching the butterfly
Thanks Michelle.
I never tire watching you Lizzie. Always love it. Wonderful work.
E, you are so supportive. Thankyou
@@LizzieHarperillustrator Always
Miss Harper, I found your channel about two weeks ago, and your videos have quickly become my best friend. I'm so pleased to see that this one was posted only a few months ago. I hope I can look forward to more! I've been working on a lot of illustration myself, some of it watercolor, and I just love listening to you narrate your pieces while I work on my own. Your watercolor techniques and tips have influenced both my traditional and digital work! Since you've essentially become an alternative podcast or audiobook for me, I absolutely support your longer videos, and, again, I hope you continue to post more. I'd be especially interested to see more insects! I'm a big fan of beetles, and haven't yet figured out how to capture their wonderful iridescence.
Hi there Maddy,
I love the idea that me prattling on is like an audiobook or a podcast, and am so pleased my videos are useful. I also love that you're working on your own illustrations. That's excellent. And yes, there will be more. One on painting another wild flower in a couple of months, and another on illustrating a Flycatcher is in the pipeline. So lovely to know there's an appreciative audience waiting for them!
Yours
Lizzie
Once again a beautiful piece of work and an interesting and informative commentary. I love watching you work and would be happy if the videos were longer! I am always eager to see if you have posted anything new and have been looking forward to this continuation of the Cuckoo Flower video.
Thank you very much! Ah, even longer? You're a glutton for punishment! And I do'tt' know if the computer could take it, the files take about 12 hours to load to TH-cam! But that's so lovely to hear that you enjoy the films and aren't bored to tears by them. Thank you X
As always i am in great admiration of both your painting skills but also your ability to give so much information about the subject. Now i will be inspecting my cardamine for eggs lol. Thoroughly enjoyed your vlog and wish that it would go on for much longer. I literally could watch you work all day long!
Aww thanks so much for this! I'm vaguely trying to get wifi sorted in the studio so I can do live films, but need to sit down and have a proper think about thrilling things like broadband boosters... SO glamorous. But thanks for the vote of confidence, and I love that you'll be out there looking for caterpillar eggs!
Wow Lizzie so impressed beautiful art work and how do you know sooooo much detailed info about the orange tipped butterfly! 🦋🐛
Ah, I dont know all that stuff. I look it up before I do my films! Richard Lewintons "Butterflies of Britain and Northern Ireland" is an incredible (and beautifully illustrated) resource for all things UK butterfly-ish
Thank you for another wonderful tutorial🇨🇦
Thanks for watching!
it's great to hear you explain all your techniques and tricks, brilliant video
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you x
You might enjoy the Da Vinci spotter brushes; I tried the series 7 #1 and found that the Da Vinci had a finer tip ( both purchased in 2022). Always love your videos!
Thanks for the tip! I can't remember if it's tried them or not, but I have a useful little list that I add to, and these will certainly be added to it. Thanks so much for the suggestion.
Beautiful! ❤
Oh mon Dieu que c'est beau !
Merci beaucoup! La nature c'est tres belle, alors, c'est plus facile pour moi! x
@@LizzieHarperillustrator merci pour votre émerveillement. Tout ce qui vit et respire a besoin de vous.🐿🌿
Beautiful!
Thank you!
Wow I really admired it~
Thankyou!
Hi Lizzie, My question after having watched several of your videos is Why do you use such short strokes? I have watch other videos and the painters use long ‘ wash’ type strokes when painting in the subject. I have such trouble painting as you do. 😬 Thank you! Also will you do any videos where the viewer can follow along with you or have online classes. Love your videos!
I wondered the same about the short strokes. I imagine it’s to make it look textured, but I’m also interested in how Lizzie answers.
Hiya Patty. I don't know why I do little strokes. I think they layer up and give intense colour rather faster than looser, long strokes? It's not even something I'd considered, so thank-you for that! I don't really do online "paint-long classes, although it's a good idea. But I am doing an online workshop on January 11th, illustrating a Bird-s foot trefoil (with Butterfly conservation). It's free. Like these ones, its a pre recorded film, but I'll be there in real time to answer questions and have a chat at the end. Sign up if it appeals?: www.eventbrite.com/e/plant-illustration-with-lizzie-harper-virtual-workshop-tickets-429769471057 Thanks for the comment. x
@@LizzieHarperillustrator just signed up. Thank you!
Just signed up.
Beautiful!🦋 🦋
Thankyou!
Thank you Lizzie. Will keep going.
Do you have any tutorials on roses
Hi Michelle, I do indeed have a couple of tutorials on roses.
The first are my blogs:
lizzieharper.co.uk/2014/07/botanical-illustration-rose-step-by-step/
lizzieharper.co.uk/2020/05/botanical-illustration-of-a-japanese-rose/
lizzieharper.co.uk/2020/05/botanical-illustration-of-rose-leaves/
lizzieharper.co.uk/2013/07/step-by-step-sketchbook-study-of-a-rose/
Then there are two linked films, one on painting the flower of a Japanese rose, one on painting its' leaves (these link to the written blogs):
th-cam.com/video/AUR3T3XyLtk/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/SrpTLTVRj3I/w-d-xo.html
Hope this helps!
Yours
Lizzie
Love it Lizzie!
Thanks Shirlei!
Как красиво, доступно для урока!!! Спасибо за красоту!!! Из Москвы, РФ.
Мое абсолютное удовольствие. Спасибо за ваш комментарий! (Здесь работает гугл-переводчик, моего русского, увы, не существует.)
Wonderful
Thank you my lovely! Hug Ida and Noely for me. x
Dear Lizzie. Love your work. The Orange Tips are stunning. Am wondering if you do the Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io)?
Those four eyes would be quite a challenge and I am afraid my attempts have been dismal and eventually used soft unison pastels. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Regards
Rob
Ah yes. The peacock butterfly. I tackle the eye spots by using watercolour quite thickly. Lay down the pale blues and yellows first, and maybe even mix in a little white gouache. Once dry, lay the blacks and reds on top, almost like you're a pointillist. Avoid blending. But you have a good point, they're really hard to do. Good luck and maybe one day I will do a Peacock butterfly.
Your painting is so precise, to the untrained eye, I imagine it looks like it could be marker drawings. Does it confuse the trained eye, too, or can you tell easily when something is paint vs. marker?
That's a good question. Its always easier to tell a medium if you have the original in front of you. Scanned or filmed images aren't as clear. But I'm not sure its about the trained eye so much as getting close enough to see the paper really clearly. Interesting question though, thank you. x
@@LizzieHarperillustrator Thank you.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
so nice ,❤❤
Hi Lizzie. Marialena's here :). How are you doing?
I've just watched the other video were you've painted the Cuckoo flowers and I'l comment for both videos here.
This illustration turned out great as always though the pink flowers looked to me quite tricky to paint. I think that it would have helped if you have drawn the flowers with a pencil with a harder graphite lead or perhaps a 0,3 mechanical pencil. The graphite drawing was so prominent that at some point I wondered if you would be able to cover it. But you 've done it. Only you can do such tricks! :) And yes... it would have been impossible to mix such a light pink without adding a bit of gouache.
What is the mix that you've used for the gray patterns on the butterflies' wings? Did you mix something gray or you used watercolour graphite that is what I would have used btw as this is the exact colour of graphite.
If you did mix something can you give me please the "recipe". I find it a bit difficult to mix so neutral grays.
Hi there Marialena! Thanks for your comments. I think the film makes the graphite look less honest that it is in reality, so perhaps I made the flowers seem cleverer to paint than they were! The joys of being able to erase pencil lines when you're finished. I think the butterfly wings are paint not graphite. The graphite didnt wuite have the green tint I needed. So I would have mixed purple with cobalt blue, a touch of yellow ochre, and some cobalt green. Perhaps some burnt umber too? Or some similar recipe. Thats bad I dint name the mix in the film., Ill try to remember next time. And dont worry, neutral greys are touch. opposite colours on the colour wheel are a good place to start but arent always neutral. Lovely to hear from you!
@@LizzieHarperillustrator The grey you mixed turned out completely neutral. The cooler grayest of grays. You are great kallitehnis.
As for the graphite lines, You are right perhaps they looked that dark on camera because you zoom in with the camera. The pink flowers must be really small from close.
I'm around most of the time but I din't email you because I didn't want to feel like I'm bothering you. I had some new pet portrait commissions too in August and I was quite busy too. Check them on my website, they are on the Pet Portrait section the two ones that are on the top.
I would love Tobe able to paint like you
Keep at it and I bet you could do!
Check out Ian Lexington. Brother of, and a superb bird illustrator
Yes, I know his work. What an incredible duo, eh? Ian's work is exquisite too, I totally agree.