'Bellbird'
Watercolour on Arches Hot Pressed 300 gsm (140 lb) Watercolour Paper
485mm x 190mm
(19 in x 7 1/2 in)
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

A picnic stopover at Mavora Lakes, Southland, on a back road to Lake Wakatipu and Walter Peek. So pure and so clear the Bellbird call drew our attention to this slightly nectar inebriated songster dashing amongst the flax flowers.

See more new original paintings on my exhibition page.

Mixing Greens

You will see I have created a number of different greens in this watercolor painting. Flax bushes are often a blue green on the under side and as the leaves turn away from the light - they tend to be a more yellow green on the front.
How do I create these watercolor greens? We all know that when a surface faces the sky - it is influenced by the blue or grey of the sky color. So you can see that very clearly in this painting. I use much less yellow in my green mix to give this illusion. My green mix is Schmincke Sap Green and a touch of Thalo Blue. If I need to grey the blue/green color a little - I add a tiny touch of Scarlet Red.

You can see the area away from the light is a richer more vibrant green. I use my  underwash of Aureolin Yellow Modern in these areas. I let it dry and then add my Sap Green, a touch of Thalo Blue and Aureolin Yellow. If I need a pale color - I simply use more water. You can see how I push my greens from warm to cool, light to dark, rich to pale. Painting green leaves is a fantastic way to learn how you can create a three dimension by allowing a color to dominate.

For example: more blue will give the impression of the sky affecting the green. More yellow in your green mix will give the impression that part of the leaf is away from the effect of the sky. A warm green gives the effect of the leaf being affected by shadow. Learn how to paint green leaves by creating a similar type of leaf. You will find these lessons invaluable. Not only for mixing greens but it will teach you how to apply this color theory to any of your color mixes - no matter whether they are oil paintings, watercolor paintings, pastel studies or acrylic paintings. It is all about observation. Have a look at the video below to learn more about the perfect green!
Have fun!
Susan

 

In my Art Lessons section you will find more helpful tips and articles.

If you want to learn more about Watercolor Painting and Watercolor Technique check out my Watercolor DVDs.

"Back From the Brink"
Oil on Belgian Linen
size: 660 mm x 510 mm - 26"x20"
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

Time for sneak preview of another exhibition painting.

On the 'Endangered Species' list, the New Zealand takahe was thought to be extinct. In the 1948 a small number were found in the Murcheson Mountains.
Inspired by the prehistoric appearance of the large red beak and iridescent plumage, my oil painting grew from a drive to create greater awareness of this incredibly fascinating creature.

Crouched down and hidden by tussock, I was awed to see such a stunningly beautiful and large, rarely-seen bird come out of native bush into the tussock. It was a breath taking experience, not just because it is a rare bird - but also because the bird is incredibly beautiful with it's luminous opalescent blue and green plumage. I am sure I stopped breathing for a while as I didn't want to make a sound or intrude. To scare them or to influence their behaviour would have altered their demeanour. I felt privileged to be there at that instant when three (one adult and two juvenile) emerged from the bush. I lay silent, observing, sketching and studying how best to portray this bird, while trying to draw the detail and make field notes before the moment was gone.

I love my paintings to say something about the subject I am portraying. In this case this painting composition speaks of the journey of these beautiful birds which were, until recently, thought to be extinct. With the help of the Department of Conservation in Te Anau, New Zealand - these birds are slowly coming back from the brink of extinction. There are still only 280 birds in existance so they are on the endangered species list of New Zealand birds. My composition epitomizes this part of their journey as they emerge from the bush and tussock - back into the light. I wanted to depict the takahe in a natural setting, foraging, unaware that we, the viewers of the painting are observing in silence, just behind the broken fern frond.

I wanted to celebrate that we still have these stunning creatures. Help build the awareness of the takahe and to paint a tribute to them that will go on for generations to enjoy. To see these creatures was breathtaking and to capture them in oil paint and on canvas is an honour.

Please click to visit the Exhibiton page and see more
sneak previews of Susan's latest work

Learn  about my Watercolor Painting Technique in my Watercolor DVDs.

Learn about how to paint in my Free Art Lessons.

"A Rich Picking"
watercolor painting
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

There are many watercolor painting techniques which will help you to create amazing effects. But I find I generally use just five:

1. My Priming Method
2. Wet in Wet
3. Wet on Dry
4. Drybrush
5. Blushing

You can learn about My Priming Method, Wet in Wet, Wet on Dry and Dry brush methods in my  DVDs as they are discussed and demonstrated throughout my watercolor DVDs. You can also read more information on these watercolor techniques here on my website, in the SusanArt Forum and in the free watercolor lessons here on my website.

With these watercolor techniques and methods you can paint anything and everything!

Take the time to learn about them and their many applications. You will be amazed at the skilful work you can achieve with just five fantastic methods!

Take a look at some of my early watercolor paintings that you may not have seen previously - I am about to post a series of early paintings in the next few posts. You will see what is possible: Remember these are early paintings - but because they are early it is easier for you to see the effects I have achieved.

Detail of "A Rich Picking"
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

Take a look at "Rich Pickings". I love this painting. Notice the methods I have used to create these realistic leaves? They have texture don't they? That is because I have used my priming method and then I used Wet in Wet and allowed the water to move the color for me. More about that in the next post.

Have fun exploring all the free lessons on my website. You will also find a watercolor techniques section in the menu on my website. Take a few minutes to look there too!

Susan

"New Zealand Takahe"
Size: 12"x14" - 305 mm x 355 mm
Watercolor on Arches hot pressed 140 lbs (300 gsm) watercolor paper
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

Our son Glen is a scientist with Dept of Conservation in Te Anau. He is in charge of the Burwood Bush breeding unit which is used to hatch and rear this very endangered native New Zealand species of  bird - the Takahe.

This bird was once thought to be extinct but in 1948 there was a small number discovered in the Murcheson Mountains near Te Anau, South Island New Zealand. Since then DOC have managed to increase the population to around 280 birds. This is the entire population of these birds so Glen and his team are dedicated to increasing the number of this bird which has the most incredibly beautiful blue and green plumage. It was a privilege to be able to sit and paint, study and sketch these amazing creatures that were on the brink of extinction.

Please click to visit the Exhibiton page and see more
sneak previews of Susan's latest work

Article in "The Weekend Sun"

There is a new article displayed on my Publications/Press page. Please click on the image to go the Publications Page.

Learn more about my Watercolor Painting Technique.

Great news!

My Webmaster Doris has now completed the huge job of creating my giclee and lithograph print pages on my website! They look superb! It has been a huge job but as usual Doris has given us wonderful options that make these pages so comprehensive. Being an artist as well as having a love of fine art - Doris thinks of everything!

Please click to view my Fine Art Prints

"Echoes of Yesterday"
Limited Edition Fine Art Giclee on Canvas
Size: 29 1/2" x 16" - 750 mm x 408 mm
© Susan Harrison-Tustain

I know art lovers looking for art for their walls, as well as artists - who love to see how I have created my images in fine detail - will love these pages. Particularly as Doris has created detail cameos where you can see areas of the paintings in close up format as well as full sized images of each painting. As an artist I know how valuable this is.

You may have heard the term "In normal office conditions". This simply means 'out of direct sunlight'. Naturally we all know  to keep any artwork away from direct sunlight. The wonderful thing about the giclee process is that it means I can offer a fabulous guarantee. My giclees are guaranteed for a minimum of 100 years without showing any perceivable difference in hue or quality (if placed out of direct sunlight). Created by a craftsman who is 'TruGiclee' certified, these print reproductions will give pleasure for generations. Purchased with this longevity in mind, I often hear my giclees are to be handed down through the family. I love the notion that my work will be enjoyed through the generations.

Giclees are the creme de la creme of the print process as they are not only of the highest quality, they also give the impression they are watercolor on paper or oil on canvas.

You may be interested to know more about what a TruGiclee certified reproductions is:

http://www.susanart.com/blog/info-about-lithographs-and-fine-art-giclee-reproduction

Of the 21 giclees and 5 lithographs available you will find a variety of subjects to enjoy:
I have reproduced fine art prints of my rose paintings, there are prints of still life studies and figurative paintings of women and children. A favorite hollyhock and also a bird studies are also available.

New prints are occasionally made available such as Enchante par la Provence and Echoes of Yesterday. The later are two figurative paintings wich were major paintings in my Exhibition 2007.

My watercolor paintings are mostly available as fine art prints on paper and my oil paintings are printed on canvas. Although this isn't always the case.

Doris has also recently uploaded my frequently Asked Questions page which also has a great deal of information that could be of interest to you as it covers many topics such as information on:

* Original Paintings

* Fine Art Limited Edition Reproductions/Prints

* DVDs

* Workshops

* Exhibitions

* Commissions

* Secure Online Ordering

* International Shipping

* Shipping Costs, Packaging and Delivery

* Returns Policy

* Painting Tours

* Copyright/Licensing

* Privacy

* Contact Form

Here is the link to my FAQ page:

http://www.susanart.com/blog/faq

Do let me know if you have any queries or comments.

I hope these images inspire you. I thought I would post an image of an available print here along with the detail so you can see how fabulous these reproductions are presented for lovers of fine art and also artists who want to delve deeper into the art of painting.

Have fun!

Susan