calicantus ii

© 2013 JANE MINTER

"calicantus "
Chimonanthus praecox
Japenese all spice
yellow + red

canson montval 

 initial watercolour study painted from life 


.....section of an initial study of the small scented winter flowers .

calicantus branch

© 2013 JANE MINTER

"calicantus"
 Chimonanthus praecox

54 x54 cm fabriano 
 watercolour study painted from life

....a simple study of a flowering sprig of  this beautiful scented winter flower which is known as  ice flower ,  winter sweet , Japenese allspice .

wild hellebore ii

© JANE MINTER

"wild hellebore"

HELLEBORUS FOETIDUS

WIP section of watercolour study 

painted from life 

© JANE MINTER

"wild hellebore"

initial watercolour wash 

painted from life 

 It's hard not to notice these beautiful vivid green flowers of the wild hellebore  appearing  in the woodlands here....posting a section of a larger study and the initial watercolour wash .

catkins

© 2013 JANE MINTER

"catkins"
32 x 41cm 

initial watercolour study 

painted from life

catkins + old man's beard

© JANE MINTER

"catkins + old man's beard"

initial watercolour wash 
working from memory 

Carnevale di Venezia - Venice Carnival

PHOTO © JANE MINTER
"VENICE CARNIVAL" 
 CARNEVALE DI VENEZIA 
SAN MARCO  VENICE ITALY

As this weekend is the last weekend of Carnival here in Italy I thought it would be nice for a change to share one of my  reference photos for you to use . I hope  the Venetian masks might inspire a few fellow bloggers / readers to paint .I look forward to seeing your interpretations  . If you do decide to use my reference photo please link back to my blog . 
BUON CARNEVALE ! 

artichoke - carciofo

© 2013 JANE MINTER

"carciofo" 

artichoke

watercolour study painted from life