Lil's Violets

3.75x2.75 floral watercolor still life done previously from another artist's African violets in a clay pot. I cropped the image to show only its left side. Look closely to see bounce light that reflects the bloom colors into the leaves. This is on Langton 140 lb cold press paper and Daniel Smith pigments. COPYRIGHT Kay Smith 2025

In Full Bloom

12x12 gouache paints on Masters premium 140 lb watercolor paper completed over the past several days, clay pots of geraniums and violets lined up in a sunny spot. In this floral garden still life I tried to show sunlight upon green leaves with just a few yellow daffodils in the background. I really like the texture of the aged pots showing white residue caused by mineral salts or fertilizers. COPYRIGHT 2020 Kay Smith

Lil's Violets

3.75x2.75 floral still life done today from another artist's African violets in a clay pot.  I cropped the image to show only its left side.  Look closely to see bounce light that reflects the bloom colors into the leaves.  This is on Langton 140 lb cold press paper.

Actual size is below:

COPYRIGHT 2019 Kay Smith

African Violets

9x12 watercolor that is today's work from life on 140 lb cold press Canson paper.  My pot is more gamboge yellow than lemon yellow, and of course the dark purple-blue violets do not have dashes of permanent rose either.  As violets leaves are thick and velvet texture I tried to imitate both color and actual tactile sensations.  For them I used thalo green mixed with periwinkle blue and quinacridone violet, with some quin gold and UB.  For darks I used a blue called Indanthrene and really like its properties, and also indigo blue plus quin burnt orange.  Yellow pot was arylide by DaVinci.
Image COPYRIGHT 2016 Kay Smith.