Dazzling Dahlias

Posted on September 29, 2015 | 42 Comments

My neighbor grows beautiful Dahlias:

dahlia growing

I was inspired by Rachel Murphree who does such beautiful watercolors to try painting one today.  Be sure to check out Rachel’s blog here.  She also sells her amazing paintings!

My neighbor let me clip a few flowers for a vase.  Unfortunately, Jack Frost had started to nip some of the flower blooms but I still thought they were stunning:

Dahlia in vase

Sorry the photo is  a bit small but I had to crop out the tuna can sitting on the kitchen counter…lol!

I started by sketching my subject with a black micron pen:

Dahlia sketched with black pen

I tried to stay loose and not over think it.

I then added 2 layers of watercolors – here is the finished painting:

dahlia in watercolors completed

My colors aren’t as bright as the actual flowers but I decided I liked it this way.  It was fun to “Doodlewash” it!  If you don’t know about Doodlewashing – check out Charlie’s blog!

Happy Painting!  🙂

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42 responses to “Dazzling Dahlias”

  1. rebecca | September 29, 2015 at 1:14 am | Reply

    You brought life back to a beautiful specimen of nature!! I love the line work

    Liked by 1 person

  2. memadtwo | September 29, 2015 at 2:39 am | Reply

    I like the soft colors too. (K.)

    Liked by 1 person

  3. jmnowak | September 29, 2015 at 4:58 am | Reply

    Oh, you are so funny, Jill…the tuna can…lol!
    However, I do like the end result.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Sharon Mann | September 29, 2015 at 5:00 am | Reply

    Jill , wow! You have painted s dazzling dahlia. I do hope you’ll frame this gorgeous painting.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. kathydoremus | September 29, 2015 at 5:02 am | Reply

    Wow! That is really good! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Charlie O'Shields (doodlewash) | September 29, 2015 at 6:01 am | Reply

    Gorgeous doodlewash my friend!! ❤️😃 I rather like that you kept it softer, and the glass looks amazing!!! Nice work!!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Laura (Createarteveryday) | September 29, 2015 at 6:01 am | Reply

    Jill, this is beautiful!! You are really really good at flowers! I do hope you visit the florist when you can’t find any outside and keep painting them for us!! Gorgeous!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Teresa Robeson | September 29, 2015 at 6:27 am | Reply

    I LOVE it! The muted colors make it more dreamy, I think.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Glenmar Fullmer | September 29, 2015 at 6:45 am | Reply

    I really like doodle wash!

    >

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Kari | September 29, 2015 at 6:45 am | Reply

    This is really beautiful!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Jodi | September 29, 2015 at 7:21 am | Reply

    WOWSERS! I am always amazed at your talent JILLY!!! Beautiful!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Catherine Johnson | September 29, 2015 at 7:21 am | Reply

    Beautiful!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Carmel Campbell | September 29, 2015 at 7:28 am | Reply

    I like you sketch and then the loose wash of watercolor compliments it.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. cubbyholes | September 30, 2015 at 6:40 am | Reply

    Beautiful! I wish I could get the hang of the paper, gentle colors you achieved here. I love those but I keep ending up with bright and vivid. Lol. Great flowers!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. artandmoondreams | October 1, 2015 at 3:22 am | Reply

    Both the ink sketch and the watercolor are beautiful. Love the way you kept it loose and layered your color washes. Very lovely.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. ann christina | October 3, 2015 at 8:18 am | Reply

    Wow, this is beautiful!!! Love your loose style! 💕

    Liked by 1 person

  18. suzink | October 13, 2015 at 7:25 pm | Reply

    This is just beautiful.

    Liked by 1 person

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