Painting progress

After three classes with Marney Ward I'm begining to get the hang of painting flowers.  It's a slow and meditative process and I have to say that I love doing it.

There's still quite a way to go with this painting but it's starting to take shape.

Just for background, here are photos of the process to date.

First, the drawing with a little of the background and one petal (which I think is too dark). This was taken at the end of the second class.

Then below is the painting I did at home.  Some of it was quite rough but last night Marney showed me how to refine the hard edges.   

The photo at the top was taken at the end of last night's class.  The pale yellow bits in the middle are actually frisket, a rubbery substance that's painted on the paper to preserve the white colour.  Later it will be rubbed off and the yellow stamens added.   There's a lot to learn with water colour painting, and that's a good thing.

Because of the joy this process gives me I'm linking to Share the Joy Thursdays on Meri's Musings.