Hello, My Beautiful Butterflies, and Happy May to you all!!!!
Summer is just around the corner, but I'm truly holding onto spring like it's my job....I'm not ready for the heat. So I have a new print in the shop to celebrate the cheerful vibes of Spring and to celebrate the beauty of being a butterfly.
I have always called you all my Beautiful Butterflies. I'm not 100% sure where that came from. I just remember using the phrase at one point, and then again, and then it stuck. But honestly, it's such a fitting phrase for you all. Butterflies are such a symbol of growth...emerging from their caterpillar state into their true-self fluttering about spreading joy to the world...something I associate with all of you and with my artwork. I like to spread a little joy and a little imagination with each piece that I make, and you all being along for the ride makes it even more special.
For this blog post, I wanted to dive into the behind-the-scenes of this painting. I also have a bonus timelapse video at the end of this post. The video has no talking, just music, and is filled to the brim with calm and relaxing vibes.
The original painting was for a client's nursery, and the colors of the painting matched the wallpaper used in the room. To start I sketched up this little number on my iPad to get a rough idea of layout and colors.
Next, I made a black-and-white drawing of the iPad sketch to transfer over to watercolor paper.
After I painted in the background and mixed up my colors I went in and painted each element color by color.
It was almost like painting by numbers (one of my favorite Michael's purchases as a kid). And slowly the whole painting came together with the last little bit adding in some definition and detail to the butterfly itself.
And here's the final piece!!
I seriously was so so excited about how this little butterfly number turned out. It was so cheerful and happy and the perfect thing to share for Spring/Summer.
And as a lovely little bonus, I filmed myself making this painting and compiled it together for your viewing pleasure. I kept it nice and relaxing with calming music and no talking. Just painting. Hope you enjoy the video below!
If you'd like to purchase a print of this butterfly painting you can find a link below.
That's all from me this month! I'll catch all of you Beautiful Butterflies in June!!!!!
xoxo,
Rachel