Paint the pine cones with acrylic craft paint. Then one can see how dark or light the area is one's working on and compare it to the original photograph. Plants use leaves and stems to make food from sunlight (photosynthesize) and breathe (transpire). They were neon-colored lime, orange and purple little plants. However, if you coat the whole leaf the succulent will likely not be able to breathe (like what we talked about earlier with the photosynthesis). After the leaves are painted to my satisfaction, then I add some details, then more dark, and finally, just to make it look finished, some background color, http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=41017. Like I said, this is only how I do things... there are as many ways to paint as there are people. Pastels and Macarons added gold and white paint to terra cotta pots, then tucked little cacti inside. These painted succulents may show color for months or even years, if they survive that long. Unnaturally colored houseplants are nothing new. But when painting something with wonderful symmetry or annoying details, tracing the original photograph saves me both time and frustration. DIY Old Frame Succulent Wall Display: Like an artistic frame on the walls really enhance the beauty and glory of the walls same way this cute and beauty loaded succulent frame would act in … Be sure to tape the photo onto the watercolor paper somewhat securely or the drawing may not transfer accurately (shifting a bit side to side as one traces), and/or the graphite might smear all over making it hard to see the transferred drawing. Larger paintings from tracings require special printing abilities (my printer does not print paper larger than 8x11) or other copying equipment (camera lucida or some sort of projector). Now it is time to ‘sculpt' the painting. The bottoms look like succulents too. Also, wet paper requires a board to staple the paper onto, and is messy and time consuming anyway. You can check it while bringing in some of the painted succulents at home. Water the Soil Directly When you water your succulents, soak the soil until water runs out of the drainage holes. DIY Candy decorated these with sharpies, then added glass marbles after planting the succulents. © 2021 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands Succulents undergo photosynthesis a little differently from other plants, 7 Free Valentine’s Day Printables + Crafts, Recipes and Decorating Ideas, Friendship Rocks: Valentine’s Day Kindness Stones, Alice In Wonderland Inspired DIY Bookmark Tutorial, How to Make Cloved Studded Orange Pomander Balls. These faux succulent planters … Succulents include all plants that store water in thick stems, roots or leaves. Here are the results, keen for graphite tomorrow night. You may hear them claim that this in no way harms the plant, but that is obviously nonsense. But sometimes painting can add things impossible to create with simple photography. To copy a photo I just print it out on an 8x11 sheet of paper and cover the back side with graphite (#2 pencil is perfect, though slightly softer pencils work well, too... very dark/soft pencils or charcoal make too dark and image and one that smears too easily, too). They can teach themselves how to use power tools and create a home of their dreams on a budget. Up to now it has just been painting like a child colors a coloring book. Flatter succulents will work better than taller, more tendril-like plants. One of my first watercolor attempts- Aeonium (no idea what species) partially from real life, partially from photo (no tracing with this one). These versatile plants can be grown in garden beds, pots, indoors and outdoors - and they’re ultra low-maintenance. Once the basic shape is on paper in watercolor, the fun part begins. If the small leaves are covered in masking fluid, you can paint over them. I was however, intrigued by these crazy, colored plants. Do Not Sell My Personal Information] You may remember these succulents from my Himalayan Salt Planter post from a couple weeks back. Theyre still living things, they wont be healthy Plants with paint on them. As I was checking them out, trying to figure out how nature could make such vibrant colors, I realized they were actually painted! We checked with some experts to find out. But is it safe to spray paint succulents? Hot press watercolor paper is nice and smooth, but to me it tends to dry so fast that blending colors is difficult. Advertise | These plants are colored using a dye said to be food-safe and non-toxic by the company that painted them. We love us some tufted mason jars (okay, they’re technically called 4 oz. Details like these are totally up the artist. I am sure that is not the right term, but that is sort of how it feels as I go back over and over and over again, adding a bit more paint each time, layer after layer, slowly getting the colors darker and richer, and creating the shading and details that make the painting interesting. The colored water travels up the stem and into the flower, making the petals bright rainbow colors. However, when you layer them with a thick coating of paint, these striking succulents are not able absorb any light. Succulents are slow growers. This article is an introduction on how to do some watercolor paintings of some of the simpler succulents (aloes, agaves etc.). They may look cute but it isnt good for them if you want them to stay alive. In fact, one could probably pick any color one likes as long as the tone is right. When this is dry, start giving the succulents a little more color. That's a lot of dyed and glued succulents of some sort. We are borderline obsessed with this combo! What one does from there is totally up to each individual, but at least this will give the reader/painter a start. We like to do two layers of color, a darker one all over and a highlight on the tips. original photo of solitary Agave parryi painted below. A photograph can capture a plant in the proper light or position forever and allow one an indefinite amount of time to paint... so this is what I do. Hi, I'm Adrienne. It’s possible this dye has no effect, however it seems more likely that most people who painted succulents do it for the novelty factor, and wind up leaving it on a windowsill to be forgotten and slowly die. Although their bright-colored leaves look striking, we can't help but wonder if that's good for the plant (even if the packaging says the paint is all-natural). I am just explaining how I do them. This beginner’s guide to succulents will teach you the basics of propagating, growing and caring for your succulents. This is all the room the whole kit takes up... other than the painting itself and a cup of water. If one is an oil painter or using pastels, one probably is used to starting with the darkest shades first and adding the light ones later as highlights. I like to get the shapes blocked in for two reasons... it gives me a feeling I have gotten somewhere (this is important as starting a painting is always the hardest part to me), and it keeps the pencil from smearing. My mission is to help women to tap into their creativity and gain the confidence they need to tackle DIY projects around the home. Check out this tutorial about how you and your kids can paint your own succulents. My three year old daughter, Chloe saw me getting out the paints and got very excited. Most botanical artists paint flowers, or scenery or perhaps even do scientific illustration. Media Kit | And many have symmetry that makes painting them akin to coloring in a coloring book... just get the shapes close and fill in the spaces, and you have a painting of a succulent! What’s you favorite rainy day craft? Last Thursday we got stuck into the acrylic paints and had a fat ol' time painting Succulents! Choosing a nice pot is an essential part of planting a succulent garden and is almost a kind of feng shui in itself – for example, you can make lots of decisions about which area of the balcony, deck, verandah/porch, terrace or windowsill to put them in, or which pot/succulent combination looks best. Succulents undergo photosynthesis a little differently from other plants, but they do still need it. But I am hardly one to tell you what to do- for all I know huge areas of dark could look really great- just not in my paintings. Completely coating the leaves with paint prevents this and will probably kill the plants or, at least, seriously injure them. This article is an introduction on how to do some watercolor paintings of some of the simpler succulents (Aloes, Agaves etc.). I find succulents an ideal model for me because I don't have much interest in painting flowers, scenery is too complex for my skill level, and scientific illustrations are too exacting and time-consuming. I suspect it's some kind of water based paint, so I think eventually the paint would disappear and the plant would have normal growth. Too much and too dark a paint is hard to do much about. Succulents in Pots & Pans. These papers are not very smooth surfaced, but that makes the watercolor painting process itself more interesting, and the water doesn't dry too fast. In this class, I want to continue to apply those skills, but take it to the next level by mastering the wet-on-wet technique. However hot press is better if you want a really detailed painting in the end. Succulents are drought-tolerant plants that store water in stems and leaves. This is an easy, inexpensive DIY that will add a pop of green to any room in your home. As one adds more and more layers they become less and less transparent, the tones/shades get richer and more interesting. This first painting I show here is of an Agave parryi I have in the front yard I photographed from above. Some do manage to produce new, healthy growth and “outgrow” the paint, but they then look ridiculous (screaming magenta or cobalt blue on the bottom, green on the top: you have to admit that’s a bit garish! Basically work on the lightest areas first, then leave them alone, concentrating on the darkest areas last. Carefully reading and trying to learn as much as I possible can since I plan to use these on my SW patio. Succulents are available in varieties that can grow in agricultural zones as cold as Zone 4 and as hot as Zone 9. One thing watercolors are not, compared to other media I have used (paints, pencil and pastel), is overly forgiving. Once you are content with your painted succulent set it aside to dry. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Davesgarden.com Terms of Use, Rules, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy. Painting from a photograph has always seemed to me a form of cheating and certainly without many of the challenges and satisfaction of plein air painting (painting from real life out in nature). Here I am working on two differnt paintings at the same time (that way while one is drying I can paint on the other... plus it saves on paper). The hard part- the shapes- are taken care of thanks to tracing the image. I’m sure you’ve seen those orchids at the grocery store that are a vibrant shade of blue. I find scotch tape works fine and doesn't stick so well to watercolor paper that it damages it pulling it off later. Those little succulents were a little pricey considering they were just spray painted plants. When you give a succulent too much water, it will fill up its water storage tissues to a point of damage. Love or hate painted succulents, they do make for a fun rainy day DIY. Once you are content with your painted succulent set it aside to dry. Furrealz. This video is Part 1. Use hardy succulents (sempervivum and sedum) to make a frame that will live through cold winters and grow year-after-year. Set the living succulent picture on a table or shelf where it can be propped up against a wall. If you end up with extra moss, use it around the base of a potted plant for decoration and to help retain moisture. Succulent leaves often have a certain milky bloom-like coating to them. You will know if your succulent is overwatered by its overly puffy-looking stems and leaves, and a general look of unhealthiness. Most spray-painted succulents hang on a few months, living off their reserves, then die. Though I like to draw from my photographs by just looking at them, this often results in somewhat lopsided drawings (if you're good, that doesn't happen... oh well). Most botanical artists paint flowers, or scenery or perhaps even do scientific illustration. Watercolors can be tight (controlled) or loose -wild and crazy, impressionistic, cartoon-like or whatever- there is definitely a lot of freedom as well as convenience with this medium. I can see tones best if I squint at the photo or painting to the point I can't see the color anymore (my way of seeing a photo/painting in just the darks and lights). I use fairly cheap and small watercolor brushes (if I were a professional, or a lot better at this, I might care more about costly brushes, but I have used some pretty nice brushes and in most instances have not benefited from the higher quality, so the quality was lost on my skill level and the excess cost was not worth it). They don’t have feelings and it’s okay to have fun and experiment with art. I find that though the larger the painting, the more impressive once finished, 8x11 keeps the painting size to a ‘doable' one (large paintings take a lot longer and I get bored quickly) and easier to store, too. Central Phoenix -- I have an Aloe Christmas Carol, ... read more, I just found one upside down on our patio and put him ... read more, Flocks to the suet feeder along with the dozen or so ... read more, Rutabagas are a cool-weather crop that are tasty winter ... read more. But you can use masking tape or drafting tape (made specifically for this purpose). The reason I use a small brush is to force me to add these layers slowly. Succulents store water in their leaves. I find succulents an ideal model for me because I don't have much interest in painting flowers, scenery is too complex for my skill level, and scientific illustrations are too exacting and time-consuming. These final dark additions should be minimal so they don't overpower the painting, and they will also stand out better. before selling them to make them more eye-catching. Watercolors are an ideal medium for me in that they take up very little room, so are easy to transport and set up anywhere (work or home). Why succulents? Some do manage to produce new, healthy growth and “outgrow” the paint, you’ll have to chop off the top and root it, in which case it will look like a normal succulent (unless you want to paint it again). Many succulents are small and simple enough that one can enjoy painting them in entirety without sweating the details. Last Thursday we got stuck into the acrylic paints and had a fat ol' time painting Succulents! Why succulents? Once I have the photograph transferred onto the paper, I usually paint the plant, leaf by leaf, worrying little about details of color and shading. Here are the results, keen for graphite tomorrow night. Overwatering leads to root rot, which can kill your succulent. Often students find this a little challenging to tackle. A living wall painting made from succulents. Most spray-painted succulents hang on a few months, living off their reserves, then die. Cactus plants and succulents are a great choice for people who don’t want to spend a lot of time in their garden or caring for their indoor plants. I never use black as black seems so black it looks weird- few plants in nature have truly black color or shadows). This does tend to make all my paintings about the same size, which is both convenient (for matting purposes) but less interesting if one plans to sell/show ones paintings (not me). Paint Pine Cones. Succulents look so pretty in small pots. Terracotta works well for succulents because it's porous, allowing water to seep out through the pot. I had some others sitting on a shelf in my dining room that I snagged, as well as some latex paint from my craft room and I started making tiny dots all over the leaves. Living Painting Made From Succulents: Again an outdoor instructable. You may also like: 10 Creative Ways to Incorporate Houseplants into your Decor. These plants are also know as a Kosmic Kactus, have become very controversial in the houseplant community. Painted succulents are a new trendy house plant that you can find at stores like Walmart. It will probably wear off over time, and as the plant grows new growth will not show these unnatural hues. Agaves and Aloes are particularly ideal subjects having few annoying details but wonderful shapes and symmetry that are both fun and easy to paint. Welcome to "How to Paint: Mater Watercolor Cacti & Succulents"! Back to the top First, you don't have to use tender succulents to make an amazing living succulent frame. It is not usually essential to trace every little detail- it is probably best to deal with those, if at all, once you start actually painting. I like ease and simplicity of dry paper, though. Then I transfer the painting onto watercolor paper by tracing the outlines of the photograph. This lesson is in two parts. For Zones 8 and 9, opt for more heat- and drought-tolerant varieties. As someone three days into painting, this class was super simple and fun – I love what I created.-Shay RL. And though there are certainly limitations to watercolors along with a degree of ‘unforgivability' not inherent with the other painting forms, there is more latitude and flexibility to watercolors than many may realize. Wet media paper works for either type of paint; use a watercolor sketchbook or a single sheet. Contact Us | Number 2 pencil on back of photograph (another Agave parryi photo) and the subsequent tracing next to the photo. There is really no way to cover up a bad mistake or correct way too much paint like one can with pastel or oil/acrylic paint. You may also like: Crochet Plant Cozies for Fall. List of ingredients: An old van Gogh with frame or only the frame Some scrap plywood Some scrap batten or whatever you have lying around An old plastic sh… [ Home | Unnaturally colored plants and flowers are nothing new but they are controversial in the horticultural world. Select the paint that works for you and set out your supplies in a well-lit spot, preferably surrounded by succulents. Tracing details will usually complicate the final drawing too much and make it difficult to tell what's what after you take the photo away. Some like to do watercolors on soaking wet paper but this technique not only offers one little control of details, but makes it harder to see the faint penciled image. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Davesgarden.com, Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) - my garden inspiration, http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=1506, http://davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php?did=1705. Featured Companies | Succulents vary from small-as-Tom-Thumb to big-as-Jack's-beanstalk, and they grow and flower in a rainbow of shades. This is an easy, inexpensive DIY that will add a pop of green to any room in your home. Succulents will grow well in pots and pans, even kettles and glasses! All I need is the original photograph I used for the transfer, the painting and my little portable watercolor palette with a few brushes. How to water houseplants while you are away. I want women to realize they don't have to "wait for hubby" to do renovation projects around the home. There is no ‘teaching' this part, but if one just goes slowly and uses a small brush, one will find soon enough that it is not that difficult. Trace the major shapes on the photo using a ball-point pen or strong but somewhat dull pencil to be sure the transferred image is dark enough to see once you're done. One does not always have the time to sit outdoors and paint while the light is right and the plant is right. If you live in a hot, dry climate, you need to water your outdoor succulents every couple of days. We think it helps to look at pictures of real succulents. But in this article I use traced images to simplify the process, speed things up a great deal and preserve some accuracy. Even if the plants die at least it’s an opportunity to teach kids about photosynthesis and how plants grow. I like rough or cold-press watercolor paper, the thicker the better (thicker papers warp less and tolerate a lot more abuse... but can be really expensive!). Paint around the large succulents. after all the underpainting is done, darks are slowly added until the painting sort of looks like the photo when one squints at each, These are two Agave paintings done with less than realistic colors, yet they can still be recognized as Agaves. As someone three days into painting, this class was super simple and fun – I love what I created. Keep on top of the dusting by using a soft paint brush or blusher brush to remove the dust from in and around the plant. ). During the holiday season you can find poinsettias in all shades of the rainbow and covered in glitter. Spot, preferably surrounded by succulents with PRIVATE VIDEO LESSONS go to www.paintingwithvictoria.com! As cold as Zone 4 and 7, go for the whole family get... Years, if it ’ s guide to succulents will grow well in pots and pans even! Stems and leaves making a painting work a darker one all over and a look! 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Graphite tomorrow night and 9, opt for more heat- and drought-tolerant.! ’ m sure you ’ ve seen those orchids at the grocery store that a. `` wait for hubby '' to do two layers of color, a darker one over... Himalayan Salt Planter post from a couple weeks back project look completed, http: //davesgarden.com/tools/blog/viewimage.php? did=42001 cute. The tone is far more important than color for making a painting work completely coating the with! Room the whole family to get involved with or form plants grow and. Little TLC to bring it back to life watercolor cacti & succulents '' darker! Coating to them front yard I photographed from above possible can since I plan use! Of accuracy, or even years, if it ’ s safe for kids to use these on my patio. Of water. those colors do not have done accurately without tracing a! Propagating, growing and caring for your succulents very time-consuming effort big-as-Jack's-beanstalk, and they grow flower! You are content with your painted succulent set it aside to dry will..., I published my first class on this same topic and focused generally on a.... I find scotch tape works fine and does n't stick so well to watercolor paper nice. You the basics of propagating, growing and caring for your succulents, they do have. Paint and make them look unsightly more interesting survive that long photo ) the. Hot press is better if you end up with extra moss, use it around the home painted. You ever wanted to learn as much as I possible can since I plan to use these my! Then it will be mentioned and some sample paintings will be mentioned and some sample will! Into your Decor once you are content with your painted succulent set it aside to dry day. Plant only succulents once a month—lay the frame on a table or shelf where it can be propped up a... Stuck into the flower, making the rest darker and darker a successful summer with these plants. To tap into their creativity and gain the confidence they need to tackle in dry conditions and able... That, slowly making the petals bright rainbow colors those cute colorful plants over time, and they re! Works really well on smooth succulents had some succulents at home last year, I published my class. General look of unhealthiness work better than taller, more tendril-like plants …. And we are trying to learn more about me power tools and a... During the holiday season you can check it while bringing in some of the process. Gold and white paint to terra cotta pots, then leave them alone, concentrating on darkest! Leads to root rot, which can kill most anything that grows photograph ( another Agave parryi photo ) the... Accurate, or scenery or perhaps even do scientific illustration shelf where it can be propped up against a with... Shape is on paper in watercolor, the fun part begins these painted succulents home... Them look unsightly one adds more and more interesting ( photosynthesize ) and the subsequent tracing next the... They do make for a fun rainy day project for the whole takes. Projects around the home guess we will see how dark or light the area is one 's working on compare!