I’m often asked what materials I use for my botanical and nature artwork, so I wanted to put them all in one place. These are the supplies I reach for most often in my studio and use regularly in my watercolor work. Watercolor Supplies Paper Arches Hot Press Paper — a good option for beginners or for anyone who tends to use a lot of water. Saunders Waterford Hot Press Paper — a favorite for painters who have more control over water and want a beautiful smooth surface. Palette

One of my favorite parts of painting birds is the eye. It is often the area that brings the whole subject to life. Even in a soft or atmospheric piece, the eye usually holds the focus and gives the bird its presence. When I paint bird eyes, I do not see them as simple dark shapes. I look for structure, value, edge, color, and the small surrounding details that make them feel real. What makes a bird eye feel alive For me, realism in a bird eye comes from both accuracy and rest

Society of Botanical Artists - Assignment 5 - Flower Composition

"It relaxes my mind to paint flowers." Pierre-Auguste Renoir Assignment 4 - Flowers - my favorite painting subject. I was thrilled to start this new assignment. How fun to paint 7 flowers, each distinct in color and uniqueness. I started searching for flowers in my backyard and then visited several garden centers to find new and unique flowers. My daughters were incredibly helpful as well as we traveled to various garden centers looking at flowers. This assignment took me ab

Painting leaves isn't my forte. As I reviewed my other artworks, I realized I haven't painted many leaves, and the idea of painting seven seemed quite intimidating. Yet, this is exactly why I enrolled in school, isn't it? To push my boundaries, tackle challenging projects, and develop as an artist. Right?! Still I find myself wanting to stay in my comfort zone. Where to start? It was early spring in Michigan with slim pickings with the majority of blooms being daffodils and

Society of Botanical Artists Assignment 2 - Monochrome Tone

Society of Botanical Artists Course 21 Assignment 1 Overview

Welcome to my blog! I'm Joanna Munster. I am a botanical artist who is self-taught in watercolor techniques for 10 years. Additionally, I...