How to Paint a Leaf in Watercolors

How to Paint a Leaf in Watercolor by Elise Engh

Materials:
watercolor paper- 5x7
leaf
pencil
watercolor paints
paintbrush
gold acrylic paint (optional)
black ink pen

Step 1: Grab a fresh leaf off a tree or from the ground and lightly trace the outline onto some watercolor paper in pencil.

How to Paint a Leaf in Watercolor: Grow Creative

Step 2: Optional- if you want to add a cool golden effect to your leaf, start out by painting in a few areas of the leaf on your paper in some gold acrylic paint.  You can water the paint down or leave it nice and thick.  Your choice. Let this paint dry.

How to Paint a Leaf in Watercolor: Grow Creative

Step 3:  Pick a color scheme- like greens and yellows for one leaf, or reds, oranges, and pinks.  Paint in the remaining areas of the leaf with these colors, varying the shades throughout.  You can paint on top of the previously painted acrylics in some areas or paint around it in others.

Step 4: With an ink pen, trace the outlines of your leaf to give it some definition.  Let the ink dry before the next step so that it doesn't smear all over your paper.

Steps to Painting a Leaf

Step 5:  Now look at your actual leaf from outdoors.  With your pen, recreate the veins inside the leaf and.....you're done!

Steps to Painting a Leaf

watercolor leaf tutorial
Instructions on How to Paint a Leaf

Photos of the Week


These are scenes from my new stomping grounds, which used to be my old stomping grounds.............kinda confusing I know.  We lived in this area before we bought our first home and, for the time being, we are back! It's more rural out here and there's more nature to photograph!  Yay for me!



My biggest sale ever


I have some exciting news!  This year I'm offering a WEEK LONG BLACK FRIDAY SALE in my Etsy Shop!  This is the biggest sale I've ever had ...... 40% off baby! Starts tomorrow, November 22nd and goes through the 29th.


Please visit my shop tomorrow or sometime within the next week and enjoy 40% off anything and everything I have to offer.  Use the code BLACK40 at checkout.

Cube Infinity Scarf Pattern

It's here!  The pattern for my new crochet infinity scarf is here! 
crochet cube infinity scarf free pattern

Cube Infinity Scarf Pattern
by Elise Engh

crochet cube infinity scarf

Materials:
Worsted Weight Yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Jade)
Size J/ 10-6.00MM Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle

Size:  6.5 inches wide by 51.5 inches long

Abbreviations:
ch= chain
dc= double crochet
tr- triple crochet
sc= single crochet

Notes:  To adjust the width of this scarf, make the beginning chain a multiple of 8, plus 5.

Pattern:

Ch 21

Foundation Row:  1 dc in 4th ch from hook (this section counts as dc), 1 dc into each ch to end. (19 dc)

Row 1:  3 ch (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc into each of next 2 dc, * 3 ch, (skip 1 dc, 1 tr into next dc) twice, 3 ch, skip 1 dc, 1 dc into each of next 3 dc; repeat from * to end. Turn.

Row 2:  3 ch (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc into each of next 2dc, * 3 ch, 1 sc into each of next 2 tr, 3 ch, 1 dc into each of next 3 dc; repeat from * to end, working last dc into 3rd of 3 ch. Turn.

Row 3:  3 ch (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc into each of next 2 dc, *1 ch, 1 tr into first sc, 1 ch, 1 tr into next sc, 1 ch, 1 dc into each of next 3 dc; repeat from * to end. Turn.

Row 4:  3 ch (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc into each of next 2 dc, * (1 dc into next ch, 1 dc into next tr) twice, 1 dc into next ch, 1 dc into each of next 3 dc; repeat from * to end, working last dc into 3rd of 3 ch. Turn. (19 dc)

Repeat rows (1-4) 17 times, making 18 cube sections total.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail end. Using your yarn needle and the long tail end, stitch the two ends together with a whip stitch.

Fasten off and weave in ends. 

crochet cube infinity scarf

Circles and Florals

A few small watercolors, painted before the move..........


The floral painting was inspired by this watercolor print

Abstract Watercolor Circles

It feels so good getting back into my groove, posting my watercolors and making things I love.  It's my thing :)