We are delighted to share this beautiful work from Lisa Dickson, who is currently studying on our Botanical Painting Diploma Course with tutor Grainne Murphy.
For her Assignment 3 study in tonal and colour painting, Lisa chose an Echinacea purpurea, the Purple Coneflower ‘Magnus Superior’, grown right in her own garden in New Zealand. It is such a lovely touch when students paint from life in this way, and the care and observation that comes from working with a living specimen really does show in the results.
Lisa completed both a tonal study and a finished colour painting of her chosen flower, and the two pieces together make for a fascinating comparison. The tonal study, worked in soft greys, captures the architectural drama of the echinacea beautifully, with particular attention paid to the distinctive domed cone and the graceful sweep of the drooping petals. The colour painting that follows is fresh and accomplished, the warm pink of the petals rendered with a lovely delicacy, and the rich golden amber of the cone glowing at the centre of the composition.
Lisa approached the assignment with real curiosity and thoroughness, researching her subject and practising the tonal techniques carefully before beginning her final pieces. She even interlibrary loaned a copy of Keith West’s book to help her master the methods, which speaks volumes about her dedication and commitment to getting things right.
We think the results are wonderful, and we look forward to seeing where Lisa’s botanical journey takes her next!
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