Wren and Hardenbergia – Miniature in Watercolour
It has been far too long since I added a new painting to my 15×15 cm series, but with a beautiful little wren study completed for Koala Eco, Ive decided to develop this little bird painting further, adding a background to its story. ‘Wren and Hardenbergia’ is the newest study to be added to this ever popular series, and although the subject is a challenging one, I am so keen to get my teeth into it, and this series again.
Intricate yes, but how gorgeous is the Hardenbergia (or Native Sarsaparilla)? With the breath of spring feeling close for the first time in forever, the bush around my home is awash with splashes of purple, as this gorgeous creeper bursts into its entwining glory. I love it. It feels like home, and sweet memories and is just a most delightful whisper of spring.
This series is all about small birds and sentimental botanicals, and although I continue to agonise over the detailing in this series to the enth degree with delight, at this size I am really able to indulge myself in the romance of it all… and I do. Every painting is a labour of love, and these most certainly are a great love of mine! Clearly they are with you too as the collection runs at a perpetual sell out. So, if youve missed out on those before it, perhaps now is your chance. It feels great to be back to the series and Im excited about this one coming to life.
With the background design created and the drawing completed, its time to wet up the brushes and dive into the purple world of the hardenbergia in bloom. Its a feast for the eyes, just as it is in nature. Fot the painting, its evolving into a completely new story and Im looking forward to the colour in this one.
Next comes the start of the flowers, a dizzying balance of subtle colour shifts within my mauves, intricate spaces and details coming together like a patchwork puzzle. Piece by piece they come together to tell the tale of the flowers en masse. Still, it has to have meaning and purpose as individual stories, and as a whole so the balance is a delicate dance, weaving in and out of this element.
Bringing them to a close, the tiny yellow green eye features are added and suddenly the purple has some meaning and cohesion amongst the masses.
The next point of challenge is the flower stalks and connections, the delicate branches bringing substance and structure to the painting immediately, coming to life in time. The flush of new earthy colours is also a beautiful shift to the balance too. Warm ginger browns and beautiful delicate yet dynamic diagonals put everything in its place, including your eye. Its an exciting step, rendering the branches.
And with the stems continuing, we also drift in and out of the softening background, bringing yet another depth and dimension to this story. Its small, but involved, but Im still in a love affair of emergence.
…. Ill be back with more on this as it evolves, so stay tuned! ‘Blue Wren and Hardenbergia’ is 15x15cms in size, watercolour and is currently available so let me know if youd like to call this sweet piece your own 🙏🏻