September hydrangeas
Posted: September 18, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: flower painting, hydrangeas 18 CommentsIt’s a banner year for my hydrangeas and I don’t know why. I haven’t done anything special to them but the blooms are so huge I had a hard time finding a vase that was big enough to hold them. And I almost needed a ladder to cut the blooms.
Since hydrangeas are so complex, I painted them wet-in-wet. First a light layer of background grey and then light pink (Quin Rose and Yellow Ochre) for the flowers. Into that I started painting the shadow areas and then when the paper was almost dry I added the sharper shapes and the darks. Painted on Saunders Rough 140 lb paper.
First of all, this is a beautiful painting. Secondly, you have to make a new video on how you did this. You have lots of time on your hands, right?!? :-). My neighbours hydrangeas are out of control this year too!
Haha, right, I have lots of time! Actually, I do paint hydrangeas in this course:
https://learn.shariblaukopf.com/p/sketching-fresh-flowers-late-summer-blooms
Absolutely gorgeous, Shari!
Lois, thank you!
Shari, love the hydrangeas wet in wet technique! Especially love the rusty colour flower stems, they lift the whole painting up! Thank you for sharing. Grateful for every sketchbook post you send to us, the followers.
Natalia, you are so nice. When we are together next time, I will do a demo of this technique. I think you would love to try this.
Shari, this is so beautiful! I don’t know how you keep painting one beauty after another!
Nancy, thank you. I really appreciate it.
Actually I had a terrible few weeks of painting. I didn’t even count how many paintings I tore up.
I was distracted by other things and when my head is not clear, it’s hard to focus on painting even though I really tried.
It was very discouraging.
But today I was relaxed and I was happy with the result.
Just wanted you to know that it is not always easy for me even though I have lots of experience.
So beautiful. I agree, I would love to see how you paint this in a new video. Would be sweet to see… and try.
So I love them some years my time and some years did nothing and I really had no idea what made the difference.
I love your hydrangea watercolor! Unfortunately none of my hydrangeas even bloomed because of the hot, dry summer we had. They started to bloom barely and then the heat just whatever was there. I have blue, pink and fuchsia usually 🙁
beautiful!
Shari – these flowers are stunning! I have them too outside my window on a neighbors property. I always look at them but never get around to painitng them..Interseting to me that you painted the darks first. I normally do them last. I will have to try it this way! thanks for sharing as always..You are the best!
Stunning!!!
Here, here! I second Maureen’s request for you to record a video of your absolutely beautiful painting! You’ve captured their essence perfectly. Maybe you’ll have some time on a rainy day this fall.🤞
Wonderful painting 🙂
This is so beautiful! Thanks for describing how you approached this. I find hydrangeas so intimidating. Your negative painting for the smaller shapes is outstanding.
Such great timing Shari. Just today I looked at very similar hydrangeas in my yard and thought” I need to try painting these but where would I start?” I was wondering about pigment choices too. Thanks for your gorgeous painting and your explanation. Love seeing your work. You are such a great artist.