Channel Title: Lizzie Harper Channel Description: Lizzie Harper natural history illustrator, science art, and botanical illustrator produces videos showcasing her work, explaining the step by step processes involved in creating an illustration, showing time lapses, and discussing matters zoological and botanical. Check out her art at www.lizzieharper.co.uk and follow her on instagram @lizzie_harper_illustrator <video> Comparing Synthetic Watercolour brushes part 4 Description: This film follows on from my three previous explorations into finding a good synthetic alternative to my sable Winsor & Newton series 7 watercolour paintbrush. This need arises because of the ethics involved in using squirrel and sable (animal based) brushes, and because of so many alternatives that have been hitting the market recently. Thus far, my favourite brushes are Princeton Neptune Round & Rosemary & Co Red Dot spotters All but the Rosemary & Co were purchased from Jackson’s Art, UK and no sponsorship was involved in this video Comparing Synthetic Watercolour brushes Part 4 was made by Lizzie Harper in 2023 For more of lizzie’s work and to buy originals or read the accompanying blog, please visit: www.lizzieharper.co.uk The brushes I'm testing today are: Bille Showell’s fine liner, ProArte Masterstroke Series 60 Round, Rosemary & Company Designer Red Dot, Winsor & Newton Cotman 111 round Most have been recommended by my lovely Youtube viewers and subscribers. Thankyou. Accompanying blog: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2023/05/comparing-synthetic-watercolour-brushes-part-4/ Details of subject & other equipment I'm painting a Lesser Hawkbit Leontodon saxatilis (part of a larger commission) on Stonehenge Aqua hot press watercolour paper, with Winsor and Newton watercolours. Spoiler alert: None of these were perfect, but my favourite was the Billie Showell Fineliner. Recap of other brushes tested Below is a recap of what I've already tested, what I'm planning to test next, and what I won't be testing. The first film: https://youtu.be/EdFaX-QlW60 saw me review: Winsor & Newton Synthetic sable Rosemary & Co. Red Dot Spotters Princeton Aqua Elite and Zen art brushes (given free by the company) Of these the Rosemary & Co. Red Dot Spotters was my favourite. The accompanying blog can be found here: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2021/09/equipment-paintbrushes/ The second film: https://youtu.be/YGVnfURXIhU saw me review: Princeton Neptune Script (4750) Jackson's Kite S561 Rosemary & Co Red dot Pointed Da Vinci Casaneo 5598 The Princeton Neptune was good but too long, and the Rosemary & Co Red dot pointed was good but soon lost shape. The accompanying blog can be found here: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2022/03/paintbrushes-exploring-synthetics-part-2/ Brushes reviewed in my third film https://youtu.be/cwgYuAVw_9s are: Princeton Neptune round, Jackson’s Icon Synthetic Quill S777, Escoda Versatil round, Da Vinci Colineo. The Princeton Neptune Round was (and remains) a real contender. The Jackson's Quill S777 felt more suited to a calligrapher, the Escoda Versatil round had a bit of a ragged tip, and the Da Vinci Colineo was very flattened, and more like a square-tipped brush than one with a rounded nib. The blog that goes with this film is here: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2023/05/comparing-synthetic-watercolour-brushes-part-3/ Brushes I’m testing next (final set of tests) Escoda Prado Escoda Perla Princeton Velvet-touch Round Raphaël Set of 3 Sable Brushes Synthetic Travel #01 Brushes I won’t be testing (and why) Princeton Heritage Round #1 (Not Available in UK) ProArte Prolene plus (Not available in UK) Perla brushes Princeton (Not available in UK) Princeton elite (No, far too long-tipped for me) Rosemary & Co Series 402 pointed (Sable plus synthetics mix) DaVinci Maestro series 35 (Sable) Escoda Chronos (No, Synthetic plus sable mix) Icon synthetic Tintoretto S595 (only available with £30 shipping from europe) Tintoretto 450 (the company say available through Jackson's, but not) Synthetics hooked tips "Uncurling a tip: from https://www.rosemaryandco.com/contact/index/ You could try the ‘boiling water’ trick. Carefully pour boiling water into a suitable container, immerse the brush head for 30-60 seconds then reshape and allow to dry naturally. This sometimes revives the twist or curl in the brush head." Links to Brushes at Jackson's Art / Rosemary & Co (prices as of 2023): The Cotman 111 round No. 1 https://www.jacksonsart.com/w-n-cotman-brush-series-111-round-no-1 £4.40 Pro Arte masterstrokes (series 60, white handle) https://www.jacksonsart.com/pro-arte-masterstroke-prolon-series-60-synthetic-brush-round-size-2 £2.10 Rosemary Red Dot Designers https://www.rosemaryandco.com/watercolour-brushes/red-dot-collection/red-dot-designers £3.35 Billie Showell brushes https://www.jacksonsart.com/billy-showell-synthetic-brush-fine-liner £4.60 #paintbrush #botanicalillustration #artistsequipment #watercolor #watercolour #watercolorbrushes #watercolourbrushes #syntheticbrushes #synthetic #sable #review #trial #artmaterials #art #painting #choosingabrush #cheapalternative #goodbrushes #brushes #comparison #naturalhistoryillustration #sciart #naturalscienceillustration #tools </video> <video> Pencil Drawing of a Pear Description: Pencil drawing of a Pear Pyrus communis sees Lizzie doing a pencil illustration for a client, from empty page to completed illustration. The illustration is ina "sketchbook style" meaning some elements of the drawing are highly polished and others remain as a line drawing. Lizzie explains her processes as she draws, from composing an image on the page to deciding where to put the darkest darks, to whether or not to add blemishes to the pears. Apologies for any issues with autofocus. Equipment Used: Many of the links below are to Jackson's Art in the UK, other art shops will also supply these products Paper: https://www.jacksonsart.com/stonehenge-aqua-watercolour-paper-blocks Pencil: Pentel P205 HB lead 0.5mm https://www.pentel.co.uk/product/p205-0-5mm-mechanical-pencil-single-pack-with-tube-of-0-5mm-hb-refill-leads-xp205/ Rubber: Factis Tri-24 https://www.jacksonsart.com/factis-triangular-eraser-tri-24-51x46x13mm </video> <video> Comparing Synthetic Watercolour brushes part 3 Description: This film follows on from my two previous explorations into finding a good synthetic alternative to my sable Winsor & Newton series 7 watercolour paintbrush. This need arises because of the ethics involved in using squirrel and sable (animal based) brushes, and because of the explosion of alternatives that have been hitting the market recently. The brushes I'm testing today are: Princeton Neptune round Jackson's Icon synthetic Quill S777 10/0 Escoda Versatil round Da Vinci Colineo There's an accompanying blog which you can find here; https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2023/05/comparing-synthetic-watercolour-brushes-part-3/ All have been sourced from Jackson's Art in the UK (see links to each brush at the bottom of this write up). Most have been recommended by my lovely Youtube viewers and subscribers. Thankyou. I'm painting a forget-me-not from the garden onto Stonehenge Aqua hot press watercolour paper, using Winsor and Newton watercolours. Spoiler alert: of these, my favourite by far was the Princeton Neptune round, and I went on to complete the Forget-me-not using just this one brush. The Jackson's Quill S777 felt more suited to a calligrapher, the Escoda Versatil round had a bit of a ragged tip, and the Da Vinci Colineo was very flattened, and more like a square-tipped brush than one with a rounded nib. These trials are not paid for by any brush manufacturer or art supplier which allows me to be unbiased. Do remember that brush choice is a very personal thing and just because I love or hate a brush doesn't mean you will! There's one or two more of these trials in the pipe-line, and I'd love the comments section to be a space for brush-choice conversation. Below is a recap of what I've tested thus far, what I'm yet to test, and what I can't (or won't) be testing. The first film: https://youtu.be/EdFaX-QlW60 saw me review: Winsor & Newton Synthetic sable Rosemary & Co. Red Dot Spotters Princeton Aqua Elite and Zen art brushes (given free by the company) Of these the Rosemary & Co. Red Dot Spotters was my favourite. The accompanying blog can be found here: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2021/09/equipment-paintbrushes/ The second film: https://youtu.be/YGVnfURXIhU saw me review: Princeton Neptune Script (4750) Jackson's Kite S561 Rosemary & Co Red dot Pointed Da Vinci Casaneo 5598 The Princeton Neptune was good but too long, and the Rosemary & Co Red dot pointed was good but soon lost shape. The accompanying blog can be found here: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2022/03/paintbrushes-exploring-synthetics-part-2/ Brushes I will review in my next film include: The Cotman 111 round No. 1 Pro Arte masterstrokes series 60https Rosemary Red Dot Designers Billie Showell fineliner and ones on order include: Escoda Perla White Toray synthetic Princeton Velvet touch range Escoda Prado Tame synthetic (Waiting to hear if stock is on order ) Raphael Karell Short handle synthetic (Waiting to hear if stock is on order) Some suggested brushes are unavailable in the UK, feel unsuitable to me, or are Sable and synthetic mix so I won't be reviewing them. These include: Princeton Heritage Round #1 (Not Available) ProArte Prolene plus (Not available) Perla brushes Princeton (Not available) Princeton elite (No, far too long-tipped for me) Rosemary & Co Series 402 pointed (Sable plus synthetics mix) DaVinci Maestro series 35 (Sable) Escoda Chronos (No, Synthetic plus sable mix) Icon synthetic Tintoretto S595 (available with £30 shipping from europe) Tintoretto 450 (the company say available through Jackson's, but not) One of the recurrent problems with synthetics is that the tips curl. Here is a tip on fixing this: "Uncurling a tip: from https://www.rosemaryandco.com/contact/index/ It is important to know before we discuss this further that synthetic fibres wear out and natural hair brushes wear down [...] You could try the ‘boiling water’ trick. Carefully pour boiling water into a suitable container, immerse the brush head for 30-60 seconds then reshape and allow to dry naturally. This sometimes revives the twist or curl in the brush head." Links to Brushes at Jackson's Art, UK (prices as of 04/2023): Da Vinci Colineo https://www.jacksonsart.com/da-vinci-colineo-kolinsky-sable-synthetic-watercolour-series-5522-round-size-1 £6.60 Escoda Versatil rounds https://www.jacksonsart.com/escoda-versatil-kolinsky-synthetic-series-1540-1 £6.70 Jackson’s Icon synthetic size 10/0 quill series 777 https://www.jacksonsart.com/jackson-s-icon-sable-synthetic-watercolour-brush-quill-no-10-0 £5.10 Neptune round https://www.jacksonsart.com/princeton-neptune-faux-squirrel-size-2-round-4750 £5.50 #paintbrush #botanicalillustration #artistsequipment #watercolor #watercolour #watercolorbrushes #watercolourbrushes #syntheticbrushes #synthetic #sable #review #trial #artmaterials #art #painting #choosingabrush #cheapalternative #goodbrushes #brushes #comparison #naturalhistoryillustration #sciart #naturalscienceillustration #tools </video> <video> Step by step botanical illustration of a Marigold Description: Step by step botanical illustration of a Marigold Calendula officianalis, sees Lizzie draw up the marigold flower in pencil and add colour to the leaves and the petals. She also discusses composite / asteraceae flower structure and narrates her way through the whole illustrative process in real time. During the illustration, she also trials a set of botanical art brushes given to her by Artify. Equipment Used: Many of the links below are to Jackson's Art in the UK, other art shops will also supply these products Paper: RKB Fat Pad with Botanical Ultra smooth paper https://www.jacksonsart.com/bockingford-spiral-fat-pad-300gsm-a5-25-sheets-ultra-smooth-botanical-hot-pressed Pencil: Pentel P205 HB lead 0.5mm https://www.pentel.co.uk/product/p205-0-5mm-mechanical-pencil-single-pack-with-tube-of-0-5mm-hb-refill-leads-xp205/ Rubber: Factis Tri-24 https://www.jacksonsart.com/factis-triangular-eraser-tri-24-51x46x13mm Paints: Winsor & Newton pans, half pans, and tubes https://www.winsornewton.com/uk/paint/watercolour/professional-watercolour/#product-info-colours Colours used: Cobalt green, Yellow ochre, Ultramarine, Cadmium yellow pale, Windor violet, Cadmium lemon, Permanent magenta, Cereleun blue, Cadmium yellow deep, Cadmium red Inks: Dr Martin's Hydrus fade resistant inks (Gamboge and Chrome yellow) https://www.jacksonsart.com/dr-martins-hydrus-liquid-watercolour Paintbrush 1: Testing Artify Camellias 9-piece watercolour paint brush set https://www.artifyartsupplies.com/products/artify-camellias-9-pcs-travel-watercolor-brushes-for-beginners-pros Paintbrush 2: Princeton Velvettouch size no.2 https://princetonbrush.com/brushes-princeton-brush-company-art-brushes/series/velvetouch-series-3950/ Magnifier / Loupe: Opticrom 15 x 23mm lens https://www.opticron.co.uk/our-products/magnifiers/folding-metal-loupe-magnifiers/folding-metal-loupe-magnifier-15x-23mm </video> <video> Scots Pine cone: 1 5hrs in 1 5 minutes Description: Lizzie adds watercolour to her pen and ink illustration of a Scots pine cone, Pinus sylvestris. 1 . 5 hours compressed to 1 . 5 minutes. Enjoy </video> <video> Botanical illustration of Little Bluestem grass Schizachryium scoparium Description: Lizzie gives going live on YouTube a try for the first time, adding watercolour to a pencil drawing of the Little bluestem grass. This film sees her chat through her process as she works into the basal leaves of this distinctive mid-western grass. Looking at the footage, it seems blurry and not ideal so perhaps live stream would be better for a chat rather than for showing me at work? Apologies if it's unclear. Here's a link to the final illustration, it's a bit small, apologies: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/product/little-bluestem-schizachryium-scoparium/ During the livestream, questions came up as to where I find my reference. Below is a list of some of the botanical websites I visit when collating reference for a job. Remember to never copy a photo direct unless you have the photographer's permission. I use these images for guidance only. Botanical Websites for image reference: http://www.plantillustrations.org/ https://www.inaturalist.org/ https://www.first-nature.com/ https://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/ http://www.luontoportti.com/suomi/en/ https://www.cabi.org/ISC http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/ https://plant-identification.net/ https://plantsam.com/ https://www.biolib.cz/ https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/ https://naturgucker.de/ https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/ http://www.biopix.info/ http://www.gerhard.nitter.de/ https://www.floralimages.co.uk/ https://www.naturespot.org.uk/ https://www.cherrug.se/nature/ http://aurbaniak.de/ https://www.floraweb.de/ Artlista | Finlands Artdatacenter (laji.fi) https://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/ https://www.botanickafotogalerie.cz/ https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/ http://www.seasonalwildflowers.com/ #botanicalillustration </video> <video> Paul Rubens Youlan series Watercolour set Review by Lizzie Harper Description: Paul Rubens Youlan series Watercolour set review by Lizzie Harper (Links to buy your own, and a time-limited 10% off code below) This film shows Lizzie unwrapping, creating colour swatches, then using a set of Paul Rubens watercolours (Artist quality YouLan series, which translates, prettily, as "orchid in the valley") which were given to her by the company for testing. This review is entirely honest and unbiased. For a written version, please check out the accompanying blog: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2024/03/paul-reubens-artist-level-youlan-series-watercolour-box-review/ These paints are really good - over the past month (after making this film) I've used them a lot. They are not quite as good as Winsor & Newton watercolours as they have a slight chalky quality, but they are an excellent and much cheaper alternative. The company have provided a discount code for followers which will provide 10% off the price at checkout from April 12th 2024 - April 18th 2024 using the links below (so act fast!) The 10% discount code is: 45SW79RU This paint box is available from: Amazon US : https://bit.ly/3PwWUmE Amazon CA : https://bit.ly/4aK4Adn Amazon UK: https://bit.ly/4cSt7ij https://bit.ly/4aJFIma Amazon FR : https://bit.ly/3VRYF1L https://bit.ly/3J9W3os Aliexpress : https://bit.ly/4aycs1y (for Australian customers) The review is personal to Lizzie’s feelings about the paint and how they work with her style of botanical illustration. Other illustrators may feel differently, or know more about how to discern between watercolours of different qualities and price points. If you have experience of using these paints, or buy them and want to share your feedback, please feel free to leave comments. Other equipment used for the botanical illustrations: (Species illustrated are the Early gentian Gentianella amarella subsp. anglica and Field Fleawort Tephroseris integrifolia) Winsor and Newton series 7 paintbrushes (sizes 4 and 1): https://www.winsornewton.com/uk/brushes/watercolour-brushes/series-7-kolinsky-sable-brushes/ Princeton Velvet touch paintbrush (size 2): https://princetonbrush.com/brushes-princeton-brush-company-art-brushes/series/velvetouch-series-3950/ Stonehenge aqua hotpress watercolour paper: https://legionpaper.com/stonehenge-aqua-hotpress The cold-press watercolour paper is also available from Amazon US: https://bit.ly/3vL07Z8 The review is personal to Lizzie’s feelings about the paint and how they work with her style of botanical illustration. Other illustrators may feel differently, or know more about how to discern between watercolours of different qualities and price points. If you have experience of using these paints, or buy them and want to share your feedback, please feel free to leave comments. </video> <video> Illustrating a Pansy (or Viola) Description: Step by step botanical illustration of a Pansy Viola x wittrockiana Lizzie draws then completes a watercolour of one pansy flower, narrating the process as she goes. Apologies for the autofocus which means some footage is blurry. Covering equipment, mixing colours, building depth, and fixing mistakes, along with titbits on the botany and folklore of this common garden plant. Equipment Used: Many of the links below are to Jackson's Art in the UK, other art shops will also supply these products Paper: RKB Fat Pad with Botanical Ultra smooth paper https://www.jacksonsart.com/bockingford-spiral-fat-pad-300gsm-a5-25-sheets-ultra-smooth-botanical-hot-pressed Pencil: Pentel P205 HB lead 0.5mm https://www.pentel.co.uk/product/p205-0-5mm-mechanical-pencil-single-pack-with-tube-of-0-5mm-hb-refill-leads-xp205/ Rubber: Factis Tri-24 https://www.jacksonsart.com/factis-triangular-eraser-tri-24-51x46x13mm Paints: Winsor & Newton pans, half pans, and tubes https://www.winsornewton.com/uk/paint/watercolour/professional-watercolour/#product-info-colours (Colours used: Cobalt Blue, Opera Rose, Winsor Violet, Cadmium Lemon, Cadmium Yellow Deep) Paintbrush 2: Princeton Velvettouch size no.2 https://princetonbrush.com/brushes-princeton-brush-company-art-brushes/series/velvetouch-series-3950/ Magnifier / Loupe: Opticrom 15 x 23mm lens https://www.opticron.co.uk/our-products/magnifiers/folding-metal-loupe-magnifiers/folding-metal-loupe-magnifier-15x-23mm </video> <video> Enamel Pins by GS-JJ: Wear your art! Description: This film shows Lizzie unboxing enamel lapel pins created by GS-JJ, based on her artwork of an Oak leaf and of a Fly agaric fungus. Lizzie also shows the original watercolours the pins are created from. It’s a very cool thing, to be able to make your art and illustrations wearable. Create your own lapel pin badges using your artwork by following the link: https://bit.ly/4eAypiQ GS-JJ provided the lapel pins free of charge in exchange for the creation of this unboxing film, however, the positive review of the lapel pins is genuine. The company offer free shipping, low prices, and no minimum number. Check out GS-JJ on the following Social Media platforms: Instagram: @GSJJ_pins Facebook: @GSJJ.com Twitter: @GS_Promo_Inc GS JJ make soft and hard enamel pins, antique pins, 3D and cut out pins, and can make them shiny or sandblasted. They offer shiny, antique, dual, and rainbow platings. Music by Bensound License code: N7SKYLTISFIMHZOD #lapelpins #customlapelpins #botanicalillustration </video> <video> Comparing Synthetic Watercolour brushes part 5 The Final Episode Description: Comparing Synthetic Watercolour brushes Part 5 was made by Lizzie Harper in June 2023 For more of lizzie’s work and to buy originals or read the accompanying blog, please visit: www.lizzieharper.co.uk. The blog is here: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2023/06/comparing-synthetic-watercolour-brushes-part-5-the-final-episode/ Today I’m reviewing the Escoda Prado Tame synthetic, Escoda Perla White Toray synthetic, Princeton Velvet touch range, and a number 0 from the Raphaël Set of 3 Sable Brushes Synthetic Travel #01 Recap of other brushes tested Below is a recap of what I've already tested, and what I won't be testing. The first film: https://youtu.be/EdFaX-QlW60 saw me review: Winsor & Newton Synthetic sable Rosemary & Co. Red Dot Spotters Princeton Aqua Elite and Zen art brushes (given free by the company) Of these the Rosemary & Co. Red Dot Spotters was my favourite. The accompanying blog can be found here: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2021/09/equipment-paintbrushes/ The second film: https://youtu.be/YGVnfURXIhU saw me review: Princeton Neptune Script (4750) Jackson's Kite S561 Rosemary & Co Red dot Pointed Da Vinci Casaneo 5598 The Princeton Neptune was good but too long, and the Rosemary & Co Red dot pointed was good but soon lost shape. The accompanying blog can be found here: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2022/03/paintbrushes-exploring-synthetics-part-2/ Brushes reviewed in my third film https://youtu.be/cwgYuAVw_9s are: Princeton Neptune round, Jackson’s Icon Synthetic Quill S777, Escoda Versatil round, and Da Vinci Colineo. The Princeton Neptune Round was (and remains) a real contender. The Jackson's Quill S777 felt more suited to a calligrapher, the Escoda Versatil round had a bit of a ragged tip, and the Da Vinci Colineo was very flattened, and more like a square-tipped brush than one with a rounded nib. The blog that goes with this film is here: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2023/05/comparing-synthetic-watercolour-brushes-part-3/ In my fourth film https://youtu.be/4kLo__kqxiU I looked at: Bille Showell’s fine liner, ProArte Masterstroke Series 60 Round, Rosemary & Company Designer Red Dot, and the Winsor & Newton Cotman 111 round. The Billie Showell was too long in the nib and couldn’t carry much paint. But gave a fabulous thin line. The ProArte Masterstroke S60 felt blobby and unreliable (although it held its’ tip well). The Red dot Spotter was a dud, and left me bitterly disappointed as its nib deteriorated fast. The Cotman held a point wonderfully, but felt floppy. There's an accompanying blog which you can find here; https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2023/05/comparing-synthetic-watercolour-brushes-part-4/ Brushes I won’t be testing (and why) Princeton Heritage Round #1 (Not Available in UK) Neef Needlepoint (Squirrel) ProArte Prolene plus (Not available in UK) Princeton elite (too long-tipped) Rosemary & Co Series 402 pointed (Sable plus synthetics) DaVinci Maestro series 35 (Sable) Escoda Chronos (Synthetic plus sable) Icon synthetic Tintoretto S595 (only available with £30 shipping) Tintoretto 450 (the company say available through Jackson's, but not) Rosemary and Co round pointed 301 (the suggestion came after I’d made this film) Synthetics hooked tips One of the recurrent problems with synthetics is that the tips curl. Here is a tip on fixing this: "from https://www.rosemaryandco.com/contact/index/ It is important to know before we discuss this further that synthetic fibres wear out and natural hair brushes wear down [...] You could try the ‘boiling water’ trick. Carefully pour boiling water into a suitable container, immerse the brush head for 30-60 seconds then reshape and allow to dry naturally. This sometimes revives the twist or curl in the brush head." Links to Brushes tested in this film at Jackson's Art / Craftelier, UK (prices as of 2023): Escoda Prado Tame synthetic https://www.jacksonsart.com/escoda-prado-tame-synthetic-series-1462-4 £6.38 Escoda Perla White Toray synthetic https://www.jacksonsart.com/escoda-perla-white-toray-synthetic-series-1430-1 £4.67 Princeton Velvet touch range https://www.jacksonsart.com/princeton-velvetouch-series-3950-short-handle-round-size-2 £4.67 Raphaël Set of 3 Sable Brushes Synthetic Travel #01 https://craftelier.com/en-gb/raphael-set-of-3-sable-brushes-synthetic-travel-01.html £10.05 #paintbrush #botanicalillustration #artistsequipment #watercolor #watercolour #watercolorbrushes #watercolourbrushes #syntheticbrushes #synthetic #sable #review #trial #artmaterials #art #painting #choosingabrush #cheapalternative #goodbrushes #brushes #comparison #naturalhistoryillustration #sciart #naturalscienceillustration #tools #escoda brushes #escoda #princeton #princeton brushes #princeton velvet touch #velvettouch #raphael #escoda perla #perla #escodaprado #prado #comparisons #testing equipment </video> <video> Orchid Botanical Illustration Step by step Description: Orchid Botanical Illustration Step by step shows Lizzie Harper illustrating the early Marsh Orchid Datylorhiza incarnata ssp coccinea in real time, and explaining her processes as she goes along. There’s a step by step blog that accompanies this film which you can find here: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2023/05/orchid-botanical-illustration-step-by-step/ It explains the steps involved and also chats a bit about the anatomy of the orchid flower. This illustration is one of a series done for a wild flower guide to Braunton Burrows in Devon, and will be published by FSC Publications. If you enjoy this film please like and subscribe, and check out my other step by step films, here on Youtube To see more of my work and to browse originals for sale please visit: https://lizzieharper.co.uk/original-illustrations-for-sale/ Equipment used includes: Princeton Neptune Round synthetic watercolour paintbrush (for more on this breakthrough, please check out my series of films seeking a replacement for my usual Winsor and Newton Series 7 brush) Stonehenge Aqua hotpress watercolour paper https://www.jacksonsart.com/stonehenge-aqua-watercolour-paper-block-140lb-300gsm-10x10in-hot-pressed Winsor & Newton Watercolour pans https://www.winsornewton.com/uk/paint/watercolour/professional-watercolour/ Colours used: Cadmium lemon, Yellow Ochre, Sap green, Cobalt blue, Cerulean, Winsor green (Yellow hue), Cadmium red, Alizarin crimson, Opera Rose, Permanent Carmine, Permanent magenta, Sepia, Naples yellow Daniel Smith Spring green watercolour https://www.jacksonsart.com/daniel-smith-watercolour-paints/ Pentel P205 mechanical pencil https://www.pentel.co.uk/product/p205-0-5mm-mechanical-pencil-single-pack-with-tube-of-0-5mm-hb-refill-leads-xp205/ Winsor & Newton Permanent White Gouache https://www.jacksonsart.com/daler-rowney-designers-gouache-paint-38ml-permanent-white Frisk magic eraser https://www.jacksonsart.com/frisk-magic-watercolour-erasers-sponges-pack-of-4 Billy Showell Synthetic eradicator (mentioned): https://store.billyshowell.com/products/the-eradicator-brush Illustrators Name-checked include: Christina Hart-Davies http://www.christinahartdavies.co.uk/ Deborah Lambkin https://www.instagram.com/deborahlambkin Reference Books used (learning about botany): New Flora of the British Isles by Stace Flora of the British Isles by Clapham, Tutin & Moore Common Families of Flowering Plants by Hickey & King Understanding the Flowering Plants by Bebbington The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary of Botanical Terms by Hickey & King Reference Books used (visual reference): Drawings of British Plants (Vol XXVIII Pl 22) by Stella Ross-Craig The Wildflowers of the British Isles by Streeter & Gerrard Collins Flower Guide by Streeter, Hart-Davies, Cole, Hardcastle & Harper A few good websites to visit to find photos of wildflowers: http://www.plantillustrations.org/ http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/ https://www.naturespot.org.uk/ https://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/ Step-by-step, step by step, wip, work in progress, botanical illustration, botanical art, flower art, flower painting, natural history illustration, natural science illustration, wild flowers, wildflowers, flowers, painting flowers, watercolour, watercolor, art tutorial, how to, teaching art, paitning tips, painting lesson, tutorial, painting tutorial, botany, plant anatomy, orchis, orchids, orchidaceae, UK orchids, Braunton Burrows, sand dunes, sandy, red, red orchid, short, stocky, hooded leaf tips, parallel veins, monocot, ruby orchid, marsh, march orchid, Dactylorchis incarnata coccinea, dactylorhiza incarnata, dactlylorchis incarnata, labellum, perianth, pollinium, column, orchid reproduction, twist, sciart, Princeton brushes, Princeton Neptune, Princeton Neptune round, synthetic brushes, synthetic watercolour brushes, </video> <video> Downy birch Betula pubescens Description: Adding colour to a black and white pen and ink illustration - adding watercolour which took 2hrs sped up to 1 5 mins. This technique can be a swift and effective way to complete a colour illustration as it relies more on the drawing below than on accuracy and depth of colour given by the watercolour paint. Illustration initially completed for The Treeline by Ben Rawlence, colour added for the European Nature Conservancy, to be used on their "Alladale Wilderness" interpretation board Completed using Winsor & Newton watercolours using a Princeton Velvetouch brush (size 2) on Daler Rowney Smooth Cartridge paper. </video> <video> Early Gentian Botanical Illustration Description: Step by step botanical illustration of an Early gentian Gentianella amarella subsp. anglica Botanical illustration, sees Lizzie add colour to her pencil illustration. She also discusses the gentian species she’s painting and narrates through the illustrative process in real time. During the illustration, she uses a set of 24 Paul Reubens Youlan watercolours instead of her usual Winsor & Newton watercolours. Equipment Used: Many of the links below are to Jackson's Art in the UK, other art shops will also supply these products. Paul Reubens watercolours are available from Amazon UK and Amazon USA Paper: Stonehenge aqua hot press watercolour paper https://www.jacksonsart.com/stonehenge-aqua-watercolour-paper-blocks Paints: Paul Reubens Yulan series Artists watercolour half pans : Amazon US : https://bit.ly/3PwWUmE or Amazon UK: https://bit.ly/4cSt7ij Colours used: Olive Green Dark, May Green, Translucent Turquoise, Earth Yellow, Venetian Red, Dioxazine Violet, Quinacrodine Maroon, French Blue, Berlin Blue, Burnt Umber Also used: White Gouache Paintbrushes: Princeton Velvet touch size no.2 https://www.jacksonsart.com/en-us/brands/princeton/princeton-velvetouch Winsor & Newton series 7 size no. 1 https://www.jacksonsart.com/winsor-newton-kolinsky-sable-round-series-7-no-1 Books referred to: Flora of the British Isles (4th edition) by Clive Stace Drawings of British Plants by Stella Ross-Craig (Volume XX plates 37 and 39) </video> <video> Lightwish Watercolour paints review Description: This film reviews the Lightwish watercolour paint set from Madisi (24 colours) which was provided free of charge for testing by the company. Lizzie Illustrates a Guelder rose Viburnum opulus using the paints and gives her honest opinion on opening, and on first using the paints on the colour chart (printed on the paint box lid). The conclusion is that these are a decent alternative to far pricier watercolours, and an excellent choice for art students, beginners, or those on a tighter budget. The watercolour set can be purchased from the following outlets: Lightwish Madisi 24 Colors Nano Watercolor: Amazon US: https://bit.ly/4bol8bS Amazon UK: https://bit.ly/4bvVyBF Amazon DE: https://bit.ly/3V6NIIZ Aliexpress: https://bit.ly/4aj8cDA Feedback from a fellow artist, Marialena Sarris, who is familiar with this type of paint is worth thinking about: "these paints are similar to the Kuretake Gansai Tambi that are of the Japanese type of watercolor paints. Made with some sort of glue for binder and not Gum Arabic. So they don' t layer the same way as the regular watercolors. Now I had reviewed in the past the Kuretake ones at this blog post https://www.marialenasarris.com/kuretake-tambi-gansai-12-watercolours-set-review/ and these particular paints had mixing problems but they were light fast. So I ended up using them for sketches and some backgrounds but not for finished works. These are semi opaque paints for crafters or artists that paint in the Asian style. On transparent Asian non sized types of paper. Washi kozo and similar papers. They don' t layer well on regular watercolor paper. The biggest advantage though of this kind of paints are their huge pans that I repurposed in the process to the most useful and successful modified watercolor box." #botanicalillustration #botanicalart #prodcutreview #watercolor #watercolour </video> <video> Pear Leaf pencil illustration Description: Speeded up illustration of me illustrating a pear leaf in pencil. 2 hours squeezed into 1.5 minutes </video>

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Lizzie Harper natural history illustrator, science art, and botanical illustrator produces videos showcasing her work, explaining the step by step processes involved in creating an illustration, showing time lapses, and discussing matters zoological and botanical. Check out her art at www.lizzieharper.co.uk and follow her on instagram @lizzie_harper_illustrator

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