Fearless Friday, Lavender Bee

the Painted Apron

6 years ago

One of the prompts for World Watercolor Month

was “favorite scent”

I decided to paint lavender

I use free photo sharing sites {Pixabay, Unsplash}

for ideas and photo sources

I take a screen shot, then make a collage with PicMonkey

and print it out so I can have it by my easel

I found this clip art drawing of a bee

which was a really helpful reference

I began by sketching the bee, shape by shape

Breaking the subject down shape by shape

makes drawing just about anything possible

Once I had the bee drawn, I quickly added shapes for the lavender

I began to paint by doing the top petals

I wanted the petals in place so I could

tuck the bee behind and on top of them

I used washes of Yellow Ochre and Raw Sienna for the bee

and Windsor Violet and Imperial Purple for the lavender petals

Sepia was applied for the stripes and hind leg

Final details were added with a small liner brush and pen

with shades of sepia and New Gamboge

Once the bee was finished I quickly painted the rest of the lavender

I wanted the bee to be the main focus

so it got the most detail

I indicated more lavender, receding around the main stem

with light dabs of color with a large round wet brush

Final touches with a fine ink liner

brings the bee and the lavender forward to catch your eye

Lavender Bee, 9″ x 12″ watercolor and ink on 140 lb. cold pressed paper

If you’d ever like to share your paintings or creations,

please let me know and I will add them to a Fearless Friday post

for everyone to enjoy!

Happy drawing, painting, creating!

Be Fearless!

🐝 🎨 🌸

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