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I first of all studied the plant and did rough sketches and plans of how I would like the composition to be, the plant however spoke volumes and how it wanted to be placed on the page, so onto the drawing, excited about getting it started I drew straight onto my paper.

I use a 300gms Hot Pressed smooth watercolour paper. After removing any excess pencil, I applied a clear wash of water to the image. I tend to use a size 3 or 4 sable brush with a good point rather than the very small brushes as I feel it holds the paint better, hence being able to give a broad wash plus using the fine point for detailed work. Then working around the drawing I applied a very pale pink watercolour wash to the flowers, leaving highlights as I went, the green of the leaves were a mixture of the Daler Rowney range of greens which I love because they enable me to go from the palest of colours to the more intense dark green, adding some cerulean and cobalt as I went. As the end of the petals were tinged with green/gold I dropped in some sunlit green and quinacridone gold. I also found that mixing the gold with the green and applying them over the veins intensified the colour perfectly.

I always leave my paintings for a few days and come back to them, reassessing the composition and colour and darkening where I feel it needs it.