In April and May, there are a lot of flowers that I love to Paint. I am going to share a few of the Spring watercolors that I painted. They are on exhibition at the Plaza de los Pintores in the heart of Madrid.

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Rosas Rojas en Botella de Hierba Buena 10 de Mayo 2022

I named this painting Red Roses in a Glass Herb Liquor Bottle. I like this glass bottle because it has smooth edges and it is transparent. The roses are from my terrace. I have had this rose bush for many years. I take such good care of it so I can paint the beautiful red roses.

Irises in Pickle Jar April 21st, 2022

These flowers just showed up on my terrace one day. I didn’t plant them, but one day to my surprise a bunch of irises bloomed. I painted them as soon as I found the time.

Sapphire Bombay Gin Bottle with Red Roses and Sea Shells May 13th, 2022

Sometimes I use flowers as an excuse to paint my favorite bottles. I still remember the day I laid eyes on this beautiful blue bottle. It was in my grandma and grandpa’s liquor cabinet. I asked if I could have it and I’ve been painting it ever since.

Iris en Botella de Whisky Vintage Abril 16 2022

This one is called Iris in Red Vintage Whisky Bottle. I have had this bottle for years. It has a deep red color that looks so pretty in the light. I don’t have this one anymore. A nice couple came to the plaza and got it for themselves.

Irises with Yellow Daisies in Gooseneck Coffee Pot April 20th 2022

I got this vintage coffee pot at a street fair. When I got it, I could imagine red roses, almond blossoms, red poppies, and all kinds of colorful flowers inside. When those irises popped up on my terrace, they went right into this old gooseneck coffee pot.

Red Roses with Bottles and Vintage Pink Flower Shape Depression Gass Ashtray May 13th, 2022

I went on to make a few more watercolors. Here my sapphire bottle is with a depression pink flower-shaped ashtray with a few scattered seashells. I like to put them in front of the window to let the light go through them.

Red Roses in Blue Gin Bottle May 13th 2022

In this watercolor I had a coral tea rose in the blue gin bottle and red roses in the clear liquor de hierba bottle. I love to paint these beautiful bottles with different backgrounds and the flowers I have on my terrace.

Rosas en Anfora de Talavera de la Reina Abril 29 2022

This ceramic vase is a Talavera vase. My grandmother rescued it and glued it back together. I am so glad because this is my favorite vase. I put a branch of roses inside and painted them.

Rosas en Jarron de Cristal Abril 28 2022

Here is another one of my favorite vases. I like to paint the facets on the crystal. I painted a lot of roses because there are a lot of roses on the terrace.

At my Stand at the Plaza de los Pintores

Here is another one of my favorite vases in the watercolor behind me. My watercolor found a new home with this nice couple. You can find me at my stand at the Plaza de los Pintores located in Madrid at Plaza Conde de Barajas. I am there every Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. Come by and see me when you are in Madrid.

Plaza de los Pintores

What? The Plaza de los Pintores (An Outdoor Art Market) When? Every Sunday from 10am to 3pm Where? Plaza Conde de Barajas – In Madrid.

Hope to see you there:), Victoria Olson

PS I will be there tomorrow.

Vintage Gooseneck Coffee Pot with Branch Blossoms

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Vintage Gooseneck Coffeepot with Branch Blossoms 2021

I picked up this gooseneck coffee pot at a design fair here in Madrid and this is the first time it appears in one of my paintings.

Just Finished

Here is a picture of the watercolor when I finished. I like to take a picture of it outdoors to see the colors in the light. I always put my hand in the picture as a size reference.

Framed and hung

Now my friend has it hanging on her wall. She sent this picture to me. It looks great in that white frame. This is the perfect comfy corner.

Thank you for reading my little story and supporting the Arts.

Have a lovely day,

Victoria

Early Branch Blossoms Watercolor Painting

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Early Bloomers in Pickle Jar 2021

I like painting flowering branches in watercolor because watercolor is a medium that allows me to paint quickly enough to try to capture the feeling.

Almond Blossoms, Japaneses Scarlet Quince and Yellow Retama

These are the branch blossoms that bloom in February here in Madrid. The first three flowers I see after the cold winter are almond blossoms, Japanese quince and yellow retama.

Japanese quince and yellow retama

Here is a closer view of the Japanese quince and yellow retama in pickle jar half filled with water.

Pickle Jar with branches

These three early bloomers grow on twisting branches reaching out in every direction, so that’s why I like to put them in a pickle jar. I want to be able to paint the submerged flowers on the branches.

The Blue Curtain

The blue curtains are in the background. I opened them up and the light came in illuminating the yellow retama.

Size Reference

Here is a picture of the watercolor in full shade. My hands serve as a size reference. Thank you for reading my little watercolor adventure report. Victoria

Fruit in Ceramic Bowl

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When I go to the grocery, I pick the fruit not only to eat, but also to paint.

I selected this pear because it has a beautiful transition from yellow to red on one side.

I like to paint common objects because just like any other skill, you have to practice all the time. Use it or lose it.

If you like to paint and you want to keep improving, just paint things around you.

Glasswork with Early February Almond Blossoms Watercolor

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Glasswork with Early February Almond Blossoms 2021

Spring flowers are blooming all around!

I took a few notes about the process. It’s really fun to paint with watercolors. I’m using 640 gsm.

I start out with a real model. Glass objects with flowers is my all time favorite thing to paint. I like color, a lot.

I work around the paper trying to give the same importance to everything in the foreground and the background.

When I finish, I carefully take the tape off and let it dry. Then I put the paper under a stack of books to flatten it. It looks so much nicer when it’s flattened.

I like to take a picture of the watercolor and the model together.

Glasswork with Early February Almond Blossoms 2021

I also take a picture of the watercolor in natural light or in full shade to show the true colors.

These two watercolors go very well together.

Glasswork with Early February Almond Blossoms 2021
Portuguese Botijo with Early Spring Blossoms 2021

Thank you for taking the time. Enjoy the spring,

Victoria

A watercolor of poppies and daisies with little purple or violet flowers in a pickle jar.

Poppies and Daisies in Pickle Jar 2019

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In the spring I like to paint the wild flowers since they are so colorful and my favorite painting theme.

A picture of a watercolor in process. You can see a light grid, pencil drawing and red watercolor paint of poppies.

I started off with a grid and a light drawing, then I started putting in the poppies.

Since I’m painting from life, I put in the poppies first before they wilt.

A watercolor of red poppies, daisies and a glass jar in the process of making.

The next step I take is painting all over the paper since all the shapes and colors influence each other.

Then I start putting in other flowers, not forgetting about the equally important background which includes the glass pickle jar.

A picture of a watercolor almost finished. You can see red poppies, white daisies with a touch of purple or violet flowers in a glass pickle jar.

Here I am almost finished. Just putting in the finishing touches. Not too many.

The watercolor is almost finished here.  I paint what I see and leave a lot of the white of the paper.

A watercolor of poppies and daisies with little purple or violet flowers in a pickle jar.
Here it is finished. Poppies and Daisies in Pickle Jar 2019 Watercolor on Arches 300gsm 19×28 cm – 7.5×11 in

This year the wild flower season was brief.  Less rain, less flowers…