When we were in Victoria, BC at the end of March, one of the places we visited was the amazing Butchart Gardens. It’s well renowned for its beautifully curated and landscaped gardens. It was the perfect season to see them too as all the spring blooms were flourishing. Often in the different gardens I’d spy little clusters of Hellebore or Lenten Rose blooming. They really are a subtle little flower with their heads bent down. I found some that had a mix of green and purple blooms, so today I thought I’d show you how I tried to recreate that on paper.
This little digi called Hellebores that Marcy created is so lovely! I love the little vase of flowers! Hellebore are quite tiny, so though this looks gravity defying with that little vase, it’s really not, as the blooms are only and inch or two in diameter, and quite dainty.
I pulled out the Inktense pencils again for the colouring on this one. One thing I really like about Inktense pencils is that they are in fact ink. When you add water you can blend them just like regular watercolours, but when they dry they are permanent. So that makes creating a design like this with quite opposite colours - easy. Once I had laid down all the green, I let it dry and then came in and added the pinky-purple colours. I could blend them in without them getting muddy in the green. That’s one thing I really don’t like when you’re watercolouring - getting muddy colour, so these work perfect when using opposing colours, all you need to do is let the layers dry in-between time.
Finished off with some stitching, some pretty plaid and blue paper and some twine.
So have you joined us yet for our May Flowers Challenge? Just like Buchart Gardens, our Power Poppy store is blossoming, all you need to do is pick one of our floral designs and create, and you could win a Power Poppy set of your choice!
Here’s the gang playing along today with more inspiration.
Christine Okken (you are here)
Julie Koerber
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker
10 comments:
Oh, Christine, this is beautiful, and I love your color scheme! Thank you for sharing how delicate the hellebores are and especially about the Inktense pencils. When they are dry you could color again and not muddy up - wow! That's a great aspect of them that I didn't know about. I may have to consider them. I've seen so much about them, and your colors are amazing, and I love the beautiful layout with your stitching! Hugs, sweet friend, and have a wonderful weekend!
We've been to Butchart in both summer and fall. It is an amazing place. Used to be a rock quarry. What a transformation! We have a local garden called Shore Acres that is pretty amazing, too, but on a smaller scale. Love to visit there. I'm enchanted by your coloring with the Inktense. Beautiful card! Maybe one can never have too many coloring mediums. I need to clear out my room, get some space, and concentrate on only those things that make me most happy when I'm stamping. Thanks for sharing the information and gorgeousness today, Christine!
Really gorgeous Christine. I love your coloring as usual and it's fun reading how you talk about flowers like they are "human friends" with all their splendor. So sweet!
Blessings.
oh I am blown away Christine by your coloring on this image. wOWEE.
Beautiful Christine. I really like how you colored these blooms and the crisp and clean feeling is awesome. Beautiful card.
Sounds like your visit to the gardens was amazing! Love your beautiful card with the soft blues and greens. I absolutely adore your colouring style - so inspiring!!
I've been there a couple of times, and would go there many more if I could. LOVE their gardens! And I LOVE how you colored this image Christine. You have a way with colors that are awe inspiring! I am always amazed! I love the subtle touches of pink, and your stunning vase. Shoot...the blooms and leaves are equally as gorgeous! Wow!
Absolutely Gorgeous, your coloring is outstanding right down to the shadows of the vase too!
Aww... it's so beautiful! Love the touches of green on the leaves and that fabulous add of plaid!
Just found your post and love the colors you chose. They are so soft.
I have one question though. I have printed several of the power poppy digi stamps and have to be carefull about what I use to color with because the inkjet ink will run. How do keep from that happening when you add water?
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