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African Violets


 African violets
sketchbook page

I painted this sketch slowly, over a few day's time.  I use my sketchbook to experiment towards improving my skills although I seem to always find myself in a hurry to finish the sketches. It took my African Violets over two years to bloom, I felt compelled to capture this achievement!

The flu is making the rounds around my household once more, I hope everyone else is well!

Comments

  1. I'm impressed with your work on the doily under the flowers as well as the flowers. Great job! Hope everyone there bounces back quickly!

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    1. Thank you so much Joan, making lots of warm soups this week!

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  2. Celia, your african violets are gorgeous. I like the mute tones and the complexity of the lace.
    Hope you do not have the flu..

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    1. Hi Martine, I was the first one to catch it, now I've gotten everyone else sick.Thank you for your kind comment!

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  3. I love this painting Celia, the detail is gorgeous, African Violets are so pretty. Good for you getting them to bloom, it takes a while sometime for certain flowers to bloom - the reward is worth the wait I'm sure. Stay well Celia!

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    1. Hi Debi, I have a special pot for African Violets, maybe this helps? Thank you for your visit!

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  4. Can see why you would want to capture your blooms Celia, great job too on the lace

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  5. Celia, tus flores africanas son sencillamente preciosas!!

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  7. Celia, this is so pretty... I have had African violets on my window sills for years.
    They like a northern window... light but no sun...
    So glad they bloomed for you...

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  8. Bonjour CĂ©lia,
    Quel bonheur cette jolie floraison, c'est très beau ♥

    Bisous

    Manon

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    1. Thank you Manon, wishing you a wonderful weekend!

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  9. Hello Celia. The flu has visited my household too, this week it was my turn, but better now. Your african violet is beautiful , and I wonder, how do you paint lace so perfectly , is there a trick to know ?? Wish you a happy (and healthy) weekend.

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    1. I'm sorry to hear this Jane, I hope you are taking care of yourself!

      I draw lightly the lace as one circular pattern, then lightly draw smaller circles within the circle, following the pattern of my doily. I then picked out some of the details and shapes of the design. I then erase the many light lines I drew as guidelines.

      Thank you for your visit, sending you a warm hug!

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  10. Lovely painting Celia, my sketchbook has so many scratchy sketches. I hope you all are feeling better soon!! This is so beautiful!! love to you,Diana

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment and good wishes, Diana!

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  11. Celia perhaps it does us good to regularly change the pace of how we paint. Maybe it stops us getting stuck in a rut. Love this especially the delicacy on the doily. Hope everyone is better soon. Take care. xx

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    1. Thank you Laura, I'm happy you agree! Hope you are taking good care of yourself! Have a peaceful Sunday!

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  12. Looks like a fragile flower plant but no not at all. I think you've been talking and spoiling your plant Celia, to get it to look so charming! Lovely work on the doily too. Hope you're ok, Hugs

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    1. That is a great idea Helen, I should talk to my plants! I know you know a lot about growing beautiful flowers. Thank you for taking the time to leave me this nice comment! A big hug to you as well!

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  13. So lovely! I love the gentle way you've handled the flowers and leaves, the built up washes--gives them a soft glow!

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  14. Dear Celia - what a wonderful sketch as well as a great composition. Brings back wonderful memories too because my Grandma used to grow African Violets. She could get them to bloom but I have a plant sitting on my kitchen counter that hasn't bloomed in years...still green and growing but no flowers. So glad to see yours did. Take care and hope everyone recovers from the flu. Hugs!

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    1. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit to leave this lovely comment!
      My thoughts and prayers are with your mother, that she may get well soon!

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  15. Your African Violets are so beautiful, Celia. I have very bad luck in keeping them alive..... I hope you're feeling better...take care, my friend.

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    1. Much better, especially with such warm and kind comments, thank you Hilda!

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  16. Ooh! I love this Celia! You've captured the plant's essence perfectly - a really lovely painting! Well done with getting it to flower. I once had a beautiful African violet that flowered copiously and thrived for a few years. I didn't have any luck with a few successors but your painting has inspired me to try again. I think the trick is to find the perfect position for them.
    I hope you're feeling better soon!

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    1. So nice to see you Wendy! Thank you for your kind comment and visit! I really enjoyed your beach photos!

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  17. You have certainly captured the delicacy of violets. Beautiful!

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    1. Thank you for your visit to my blog and kind words Sharon!

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  18. Oaky my new FB art buddy! I am so happy to follow you on your art blog and on FB! Only problem I am not sure when or where I many have commented! I so love these violets and the doily! Great art and great skill! Luscious comes to mind! Of course I echo what Wendy B. wrote! "Capture The Essence Perfectly!" Bravo Buddy!
    Michael

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    1. Same thing happens to me Michael, don't worry! I am always happy to hear from you anytime and anyplace. Take care in the winter storm, hope all is well! Un caldo abbraccio

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  19. Celia, it's a lovely painting! Your colour choices are perfect as well! Have a great week!

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    1. Thank you Laura, your comment means a lot to me!

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  20. Oh Celia - this is truly beautiful. I do hope you paint it again - larger. This is so well done all you have to do it copy it.

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  21. Oh Celia - this is truly beautiful. I do hope you paint it again - larger. This is so well done all you have to do it copy it.

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  22. It is so nice! I think the colours are so soft and pretty. Love the violett. And it is good to take the time and not hurry a painting. I do that too often.

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    1. I'm very happy you like it Catharina, it means a lot to me!

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  23. What a sweet painting. I hope the flu has left your house.

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    1. Thank you ,Carole, it has and lets hope it stays away!

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  24. It's beautiful. I was so lost in the painting, it took some time to register it was a sketchbook. Hope you and your family will be back in prime of health soon.

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  25. Hi there Celia. The flu, oh no, hope you're all taking care of yourselves!
    This turned out beautifully! As the mother of two very grown children,
    (27 & 30 yikes!) I know your girls will cherish your sketchbooks as they grow up.

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    1. Thank you Carmella, we are much better now. I sure hope they do, when they were smaller we would collaborate on some drawings. Great memories!

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  26. This is beautiful, I admire you as a watercolorist with your patience and dedication. Lovely colors.

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