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Hi everyone,

Here's a short tutorial for you - a simple leaf to paint in your journal. It's a great way to practice mixing greens, improve your brush control, and learn how to paint leaf veins.

I painted mine in my watercolour fat pad, and you can read more about it here: https://www.louisedemasi.com/tips/2024/12/10/the-importance-of-using-a-high-quality-watercolour-journal

All of the files you need to complete the painting are attached below my message here. There are lots of progress photos of my painting included to help you.

You can download them individually or all at once by clicking on the "Download all" button.

Thanks,

Louise

PS: I painted this last year before my accident. I tried to paint today - it wasn't very successful. It's surprising how much a cast inhibits you - even on the non painting hand.

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If you are looking for other tutorials - you will find them all on the indexes below:

Painting Thumbnail Index: https://www.louisedemasi.com/patreon-index

Tutorial Word Index: https://www.patreon.com/posts/34865676

Files

Hydrangea Leaf Tutorial

Louise De Masi©

Comments

Cindy Behr

Thanks Louise. It must be very frustrating you be so inhibited. I love painting so much it drives me crazy when I can't paint everyday! Get well soon. Good to hear from you. 💐

Louise De Masi

Thank you Cindy - I'm struggling a bit I must admit. I had a few tears earlier - feeling frustrated. 4 more weeks and I should be out of the cast. ❤️

Joy Wright

Thank you Louise, i think Siri must of heard me complaining about my inability to paint a Hydrangea leaf and passed this to you - perfect timing. Thanks for doing this with your injuries and hope you are recovering well. (Im picturing Dom bringing 🥂)

Debra

That's what I'm talking about! Can't have enough tutorials using green, painting foliage, etc. Thank you for all the efforts you make, showing just how loyal you are to those of us who follow you! Take it easy, there are plenty of challenges and tutorials we can do (or re-do), until you are well on the mend and comfortable to paint!

Ruth Heaton

Thank you Always find leaf tutorials a big help. This one is beautiful 💕

Janet

Love this; plan to do tomorrow. By the way I'm really liking your synthetic line of brushes from Jackson's! I've been using DaVinci Maestros for years so I'm spoiled, but these new brushes have an incredible sharp point that I'm finding very useful. They may not hold as much water as sable but I'm finding that a good thing since I tend to use too much water anyway. Really happy and highly recommend! And please take it easy Louise. Try not to feel pressure to always produce; you are loved no matter what.

Jean Covelli

Thank you 💕 Hope you’re feeling better and healing well

Kathy

Love this! Here is a picture of my Oakland Hydrangea in the fall. Michigan, USA. My goal is to paint it someday.

Louise De Masi

Thank you so much for your kind words and support Janet! I'm so glad you're enjoying the brushes - that's wonderful. Thank you for the reminder to take it easy. 🥰

Louise De Masi

My pleasure Jean. Thank you......I'm really looking forward to getting this cast off! ❤️

Louise De Masi

Lol- Thank you Joy. Lol- no wine- but he's been a big help! Not sure what I would have done without him. 🥰

Kathy

Couldn’t figure out how to add a photo. 🙃

Louise De Masi

Hi Kathy, Dom here. You can add the photo over in the community chat on the left hand side.

Karen Rich

Thank you for posting the leaf. Painting veins is something I need to learn. Take care of yourself!

Risha Formanowicz

Thank you for the hydrangea leaf exercise, how might I send you a Pic of the leaf and the flamingo i tried? I'm loving this! I hope every day you are feeling better!

Louise De Masi

Thanks so much Risha. You can post photos in the Community section - 'Chat'. I can see them there.

Lisbeth

This is my first tutorial 😅 I so happy that it's not just a paint along, but you show technics that I can use to develop my painting. Thank you 🙏❤️

Lori DiPaola

This was so amazing to do … trying to see what you see and the process to get it on the paper… so fascinating..I’m so enthralled while participating in your teachings. I am going to try a yellow hibiscus flower with all the veins and brilliant center. I’m thinking it would be a similar process. I don’t see one on your tutorial list so it’s time to fly alone … still paralyzes me a bit ! Thank you Louise ..

Louise De Masi

Thank you so much Lori, I’m glad you enjoyed it. A yellow hibiscus is a great idea and yes, the process would be very similar, especially working slowly and following the veins. Taking it one section at a time makes a big difference. Painting on your own can feel scary, but that's often where the learning really happens. Just explore and see what happens on the paper and have fun!

Lori DiPaola

I know you’re absolutely right, I hear your teaching as I paint. Thank you , I’ll share when I’m done !

Sue

I learned so much from painting this yesterday. At first I was really disappointed in my first green wash, using the paints I had on hand; the color was too bright. But by the time I layered it, the leaf really started looking much better. And for the glaze, I used a watery Quinacrodone Gold, and it came out so pretty! I was pleased to be able to achieve the leaf veins without difficulty, as I have a pretty steady hand. One of the best takeaways was that I am capable of improving if I put in the time. I'm a true beginner, and I find you to be not only an excellent artist, but an excellent teacher as well. Today I'm tackling the three apples.

Louise De Masi

That’s so lovely to hear, thank you for sharing this Sue. 🌿 It sounds like you learnt a lot just by sticking with it, and that’s such an important part of painting. You should feel really proud of that progress, especially as a beginner. I hope you had fun with the three apples today!