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Realistic Leaf Painting in Watercolor – Botanical Illustration

The Mind of Watercolor

268,471 views

I paint a photo realistic oak leaf and talk about botanical illustration, its growing popularity and the techniques involved.

Colors Used:
Indian Yellow
Azo Green
Prussian Blue
Transparent Red Iron Oxide
Sepia
Ultramarine Blue
Paynes Gray

American Society of Botanical Artists
http://www.asba-art.org

Anna Mason Art
http://annamasonart.com

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M. Graham Paint – http://amzn.to/1Ms9KyI

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Music - "Lafayette" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/song/Lafayette

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20 Comments

@hazelparr8461 2 months ago

Honestly the most beautiful leaf I've ever seen. I live leaves and trees and the transitions they go through ❤

@firechick561 4 years ago

I just now discovered this...many of the botanical artists use very tiny spotter or liner brushes...you made me realize it is completely artist preference.. I love your thoughtful approach to all things watercolor.

@patstokes3615 6 years ago (edited)

Botanical's are my very favorite. I love how you show us how to glaze and blend. It's just so very helpful. As far as botanical's are concerned what can be better than to study the workings and beauty of nature. I also want you to know that I love that you are a gentleman which is getting harder to find these days.

@arnachatterjee91 5 years ago

The end product was eye-catching!!

@stefanobrancato4402 10 years ago

Hi Steve,
I wanted to drop a line thanking you for all your brilliant, artful and instructive videos. I find that when I want to chill-out and relax I often re-watch your videos as your artistic process is so inspiring and your work beautiful.
Thank you for making such a positive impact on me and my art. I'm so grateful to you.

@brouwern1 7 years ago

From your positive comments about the daVinci brush, I ordered a set. I must thank you for this tip! They're so nice to work with. and so are you - nice to work with.

@JackieL7474 8 years ago

After watching just a few of your videos, I started watercolor painting again. So far you are the only one that I actually understood and enjoyed. I like your humor, your paintings and your explanations. You are very talented and your work is beautiful! Thank you for your videos!

@pate8250 9 years ago

Steve, thanks for showing the botanical style. This is the only style of painting I've learned, and love it. I've tried to loosen up, but am not comfortable with it, even though I was told by a colleague in my local gallery that my type of painting "is too old-fashioned" to sell. It does put you off a bit.

@alexpigeon692 10 years ago

I am not a watercolor artist, but I love this channel anyway! It can give me pointers about illustration, but the thing about watercolor that I think in a way separates it from other mediums is that I actually like watching people paint using watercolor.

@manthasagittarius1 1 year ago

This is a valuable tutorial. I found I was de-mystified by just peacefully watching it a couple times without expectations, just to see how anything that good might be done, and then taking each step and pausing between. The commentary is also useful as to materials and tools, and how they behave, as well as techniques. I ended up with a much better result than in the past. Thank you! I love autumn leaves, and it makes me happy to actually reproduce one that's fairly realistic looking.

@waynel2162 10 years ago

Such a wonderful example of botanical art. I have just recently seen an exhibition from our local botanical art society, and was amazed at the intricate and delicate forms of the whole array of trees, shrubs and flowers they had covered.
Thanks again,Steve, for showing just how it's being done.

@la1649 6 years ago

I perceive he is a perspective friend you have there on your desk

@Merzui-kg8ds 3 years ago

I loved everything about this. I love leaves. I love fall leaves. I love this rendering you did of a fall leaf. Wow.

@valentinvd4769 10 years ago

I just found a really good artist right here

@katepanthera7265 4 years ago

Very nice. I liked watching how you softened the edges on the layers to get the smooth color transitions - I'll have to practice this. Thank you!

@lucrezialevanti4339 6 years ago

Just beautiful. I love all the colors you brought out in the leaf. I want to watercolor like this so bad!! Thank you for sharing this - love your work.

@coljsut1 10 years ago

For me these tutorials are hitting the right spot. Really appreciate them - thank you. I'm told I've produced some half-decent watercolour pictures in the past but I've always been aware that my techniques are pretty woeful. So having decided to go back to basics and learn good (and lasting) techniques I stumbled across your tutorials - and they are easily the best I've found. Much appreciated...

@brandytaylor1986. 5 years ago

Taht is a cute beanie on Reese aww 🥰

@gms9810 10 years ago

I never knew what style that is but it's the way I want to draw.

@cheriewolfe9352 10 years ago

Well, now I'm a fan. I've watched a few of your videos now and really appreciate - almost as much as your content! - your in-focus filming, interjecting some humor without rambling, and editing to make your videos easily and enjoyably watchable.