I loved painting this so much!

Hi friends! Do you take your own reference photos? You don’t need a fancy camera. I’m not a great photographer (even though I own a fancy camera it stays in the studio for work) but I like to snap photos of things that inspire me. Just like I did the other day. Our cherry tomato plant had been bursting with ripe tomatoes. I brought a bowl out to the balcony to harvest them and I was struck by how pretty the crystal bowl full of tomatoes looked in the sun. I grabbed my phone and took a photo.

I think smartphones and digital cameras are some of the best tools an artist can use because we can see our reference photos right away. No more waiting to get dark or blurry photos or slides back from the developer, and we can take as many shots as we need to get just what we want. Also, we usually have our phones with us so we can even use our phones as a tool to view our reference photos. Now, if only there was a way for me to not get distracted by this wonderful device! Here is the painting I did from the photo:

You can find a real-time, 8-part lesson for this project, including a traceable pattern in Critique Club! You also get 133 past art lessons, monthly prompts, and the ability to upload work for my feedback! All for $5 a month! This painting took two and a half hours to paint and if you are curious about how it came together, and want tips on using masking fluid watch the timelapse below.

Supplies (affiliate links used)

• Watercolor paint: I am using M Graham: Cadmium red deep (or any warm deep red) Quin Red (transparent cool red) Gamboge (warm yellow) Pthalo green, Cobalt Blue (or ultramarine) Burnt Sienna (or burnt umber)

• Watercolor Paper: I use an Arches 9″x 12″ Cold Press Block *This is a project where you want to use the good stuff because we are spending time on this and masking fluid needs a strong, well-sized paper.

• Masking Fluid: I use Winsor & Newton because it lasts ages in the bottle for an occasional user

• Watercolor brushes: a 1″ flat and variety of rounds also a small soft scrubber.

• Graphite transfer paper

• Other: Soap, paper towels, Q Tip/pencil eraser

If you enjoyed this timelapse and want to learn how to paint more types of glass in watercolor check out my Watercolor Glass Class! (Current Critique Club members, you have a special discount link in the tomato lesson. It’s worth it to join Critique Club for the deal!)

I hope you enjoyed this project. I have been painting with watercolor every day this month and loving it! Are you doing world watercolor month? If so I hope you are having a blast and until next time happy crafting!