In this way, fine areas of white paper can be retained in order to indicate the stripy effect of the petal. Work four petals at a time.
How to paint a sunflower and other potted plants
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How to paint a sunflower and other potted plants
Equipment
Fabriano Artistico 140lb NOT (45x30cm)
Round sable No. 8
Round sable No. 6
Round sable No. 12
Colours
‘During the summer months our minds focus on our immediate environment: the garden,’ says Julie King.
‘In preparation for brightening up our gardens, we are often enticed to our local garden centre where we are met with a fine selection of bedding plants.
‘Often, before planting, I pick out and paint an individual plant. It gives me the opportunity to capture its natural beauty and character without the distraction of its surroundings.
‘I was drawn to the bright golden yellow sunflower (see demonstration below), which I painted approximately life size. Normally, we see sunflowers towering above us in fields and gardens so to be able to take a small pot variety indoors to observe and paint is exciting.
‘Perhaps you would like to select a similar plant and work through the following stages to produce your own individual painting?’
Preparation
1. Choosing the right position
Before you begin to draw, make sure you are sitting comfortably with your paper attached to a board, placed in front of you at an angle of approximately 30 degrees.
Position the plant at about arm’s length from you so you can see a reasonable amount of detail.
2. Choosing the background
Place your subject against a light simple background such as an interior wall so that you are not distracted by clutter. If this isn’t possible, tape two large sheets of plain white mountboard together and stand them up behind the plant. A coloured fabric could be hung loosely over the board to create an alternative backdrop.
3. Consider the lighting
Consider the direction of natural light falling on the plant. I like to work side on to the light in order to create a light and shadowed side to the subject matter.
Enroll Today
Convert from my popular full-day workshop
- 5 Start-to-Finish sunflower painting demonstrations
- 4 separate sessions on sunflower anatomy and painting disc & petals, receptacle & stalk, and leaf & vein
- 4 hours of instruction with 20 videos in manageable segments
- Downloadable Supply List
Enroll Today
Introduction
Welcome and Content Review FREE PREVIEW
Supply List for Sumi-e Sunflowers FREE PREVIEW
Materials
Sunflower Artwork Image Download
Different Parts of a Sunflower
Structure/Anatomy
Sunflower Disc & Petals
Receptacle and Stalk
Leaves and Leaf Veins
Demo 1 – First Sunflower
First Sunflower
Review of First Sunflower
Demo 2 – My Sunny Bloom
My Sunny Bloom
Review
Demo 3 – Lone Sunflower in Lingnan School
Lone Sunflower in Lingnan School
Review
Demo 4 – Sunflower Field
Sunflower Field
Review
Demo 5 – Sunflowers and Butterflies
Sunflowers and Butterflies – Part 1
Sunflowers and Butterflies – Part 2
Sunflowers and Butterflies – Background
Review
Summary
Inspirations
Sunflower Wrap Up, Discussion Space for Artists
Extra resources for enrolled students
Online Access
Zoom Chat
Coursework Critique
- What tools will I need? All workshops include a downloadable supply list. If you practice sumi-e or watercolor, you’ll likely have all or most of the supplies.
- When and how often can I access the course? Once you enroll, you can access all the lessons as often as you want for two years.
- What’s the best way to learn with the course? Practicing along is the key to learn. I recommend gathering your supplies after seeing the supply list. Watch the videos in the order of the chapters. When a video stops, work on your artwork following the steps I just described for as long as you want. Go back to the course when you are ready. Re-watch any lessons you like. Take the course as if you are attending an in-person workshop with me. We have lots of time to practice. You will understand the technique more with frequent practices than just by watching the whole course from start to finish in one seating.
- When is the Zoom Chat for enrolled students? It is currently on the second Saturday of even month (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct & Dec)at 2 pm (U.S. eastern time zone) for 30 minutes via Zoom. I will email all enrolled students a week before with the link, meeting ID and Passcode. New students will be invited as well. Private/customized live chat can be arranged with a group of students as long as every attendee is individually enrolled.
- Do you offer private or group workshops? I offer private or group workshops in-person and via virtual meetings. Please email me.
- How do I enroll? How do I sign-in again? Click on any “Get started today” buttons . You will create an account with your email and add a password. You pay online with a credit card. The Thank you/Confirmation email will give you a link to the course to start right away. You can stop at any time. When you want to start again, go to joanlok.com and click on Online Workshop. Sign-in on the top menu with your email and password. The system will remember where you stopped and will ask if you would like to continue where you left off, or start elsewhere. It is that smart. If you enroll in multiple courses, when you login, you can pick which course you want to work on.
- Can I share my log-in? ABSOLUTELY NOT! I aim to keep the online workshop affordable, especially now when we practice social-distancing. Login-sharing is prohibited to sustain the high maintenance cost of the online system. I reserve the right to un-enroll individuals without refund for usage abuse, and will pursue all damages and loss revenue the action may have caused.
Meet Joan
I have been teaching sumi-e workshops for over 30 years. My art is a fusion of old and new, east and west, and the balancing play of yin and yang (positive and negative forces) to link Asian tradition to an adventurous, modern viewpoint. I am excited to share my favorite way of using expressive brushwork with you. Joan served as the President of the Sumi-e Society of America for 10 years, and taught Asian American Arts at the University of Maryland. Her book “Chinese Brush Painting: Flowers” is a best-seller in English, Spanish, Italian, French and Dutch. Joan has received awards from art competitions in the United States, Canada, and Japan. She resides in Florida, USA.
