To paint them, use a heavily concentrated mix (e.g. I use these little leaves when I need to fill empty spaces or have overlapping layers as, on their own, they are less interesting. Little Clusters of Leaves with Color Gradient A single brushstroke and the leaf appears! I love adding more concentrated pigments to the stem to create a color gradient. Because of their length, these leaves create a lovely contrast and can also lend a sense of movement Make sure that you load your brush with plenty of my mix if you want to paint larger shapes. I use the same brush technique as for the simple round leaf to paint this large leaf. Also try experimenting with colors and tonal values. Play with leaf size, especially for the smallest ones at the tip of the stem. Try not to make things symmetrical or too even, so that the leaves retain a natural look. You can assemble your individual leaves, whether round or pointed, into sets by means of little stems. You can leave a carefully shaped white area to suggest light. Press down hard when painting the body of the leaf. A single brushstroke and the leaf appears! I love adding more concentrated pigments to the stem to create a color gradient.įor this leaf use the tip of the brush, this time working from the outer edge inwards and finishing with the stem. Paint the stem, using the tip of the brush and then press on the tuft, working outwards. I use this type of simple round leaf a lot. Paint the central stem and then add the little leaves around, painting from the inner edge outwards. Then paint the leaves at different angles, varying the color and size. Create the stem using a very diluted mix. What matters is having foliage in varied shapes to add interest to compositions.” Marie BoudonĮucalyptus is a lot of fun to paint. This simplifies the creative process, letting me paint more freely and with greater spontaneity. I’m not attempting to reproduce the foliage to match a specific flower.

Artist Marie Boudon, author of DIY Watercolor Flowers, shares her tips for painting foliage in watercolour with a modern, fresh feel.

Marie boudon watercolor