Tulip greens
Posted: April 3, 2023 Filed under: Uncategorized 28 CommentsThe other day I spotted a few tulips in my garden — little resilient red leaf tips that have miraculously forced their way out of the frozen ground despite the still-frigid temperatures in Montreal. There are no flowers in sight just yet, so I succumbed to these tulips at the grocery store. The yellow flowers have tall stems and large petals, and are definitely more elegant than what I usually find in the bucket at the store. I just had to sketch them!
Tulip foliage is a matte greyish-green colour, and I always have a hard time figuring out what blue and what yellow to use to convey that soft green. For today’s sketch, I tried something new. I used Phthalo Green (not a colour you would use on its own for foliage) and mixed it with Burnt Sienna. I tested the combo out on some scrap paper. On the left is Phthalo Green on its own, then Burnt Sienna, and then a mix of the two, in different proportions. On the left I used more Burnt Sienna and on the right there’s more green in the mix. Occasionally, while I was painting the bouquet, I added a little yellow or a little blue to the base mix to vary the green tones. Sketched in my Hahnemuhle 100% cotton sketchbook, A4 Portrait size.
Lovely tulips! Thank you for sharing the colors you used and how you mixed them, and then added to the mix. It is hard for me to get the greens to look realistic with flowers or foliage. I’ll try this color mixture next time.
Thanks Cindy. I’m glad it was useful info!
This is wonderful! You really nailed the colors of the leaves! 𝐈 noticed thecolors of the leaves even before reading your comments. This just goes to show yoj are doing a good job teahing me color theory!
Grace, that is very kind. Thanks so much!
I’ve always admired all your flower paintings in the past, but there was something about the green leaves in this one that seemed to stand out. And now we know the secret! Once again, thank you for your expertise.
Denise, now you know my secret!!
Thank you for this tip for mixing greens! Also, looking at your sketch, I really get the feel the lower stems are submerged in water! Am I seeing what I expect to see or are you working some magic here? Just love your style!
Maria, thanks for having a look. The stems are in a thick glass vase, with only one leaf outside of the vase. The water is actually lower down and off the paper.
Such gorgeous work, Shari! The tulips and incredible mass of “greens” are spectacular, and I keep admiring the glass holding them all! Magnificent!
Your greens are great! Lovely painting of the tulips!!
Thanks Joan!
Here’s a totally different question! I’ve made the mistake of buying paint sets that contain convenience greens and I have tooooo many. How do I mix convenience greens with other colors to make good neutrals? As to the question about dull colors last week, I think I just need lots of gouache practice. Thanks, Sara
Hi Sara,
If you want to neutralize ANY green, just mix in a bit of red.
Did you try that?
Shari
I liked how your greens turned out for that foliage colour. Thanks for sharing the colours you used and the tip for adding a bit of yellow or blue to vary. It looks like tulip leaf colouring!
Thanks so much Louise!!
Greens are so difficult to mix well but you nailed it! Thanks for showing variations in the mixing. I need more practice in making greens that “work!” Thanks as always for your lessons.
Thanks for having a look, Bernadette!
Beautiful and helpful tips. Today is my birthday and I am in Montreal too!!!!!
Happy birthday Susie. Enjoy my city today! The weather is great!!
Thank you for the paint recipe! It worked very well on a project. Stella
I’m glad to hear that!
Soooo LOVELY!
What yellow color did you use for the tulips?
Thanks Donna. On my palette I have Lemon Yellow and Hansa Yellow Medium. I combined those for the light areas of the tulips and I added Raw Sienna for the darker areas. And maybe a bit of green too.
Would love to see you offer more classes on painting flowers. I have taken a couple, your a great teacher.
This really brightened up my day! I absolutely love these tulips! Thank you for sharing them.
Thanks so much!!
Absolutely Beautiful! Your tulips really brightened my day. A true representation of Spring.Thank you for sharing these!
Nice paintings of the Tulips in the vase, and your swatches.