Watercolour Mallow Flower | Painting in my handmade camper van!

I spent just shy of a week exploring and painting in my campervan this July, on the South Devon coastline in England. Working on a commission of this beautiful little mallow flower. I love the pinks and purples in this flower, it just makes the painting glow!
I use mostly Winsor and Newton Artists Quality watercolour paints, and Arches Hot Pressed watercolour paper.
If you want to learn more from me, the best way at the moment is through my Skillshare class (we paint a Tulip!) You can access this class for free for 14 days using the link below:
www.skillshare...
For shorter painting videos, and snapshots of my life as a medical doctor, artist and camper-van adventurer, head to my instagram or facebook:
@helencousinsbotanics
/ helencousinsbotanics
/ helencousinsbotanics
www.helencousinsbotanics.com
Look forward to connecting with you more!
Helen
💜
Music Credits:
herbal tea by Artificial.Music / artificial-music

[@carolyneroy8739]

Thank you for this tutorial. I’ve learn a lot. An my nervous system is very calm after hearing you soft voice 😊

[@piefjep9508]

It is beautiful Helen! I'm learning a lot from your video's. Thank you for sharing. I can imagine how relaxing it feels to be painting in a van with a view like that.

[@helencousinsbotanics]

So glad you’re finding them useful - you’re very welcome! It is very peaceful ☺️

[@EmilySmallcomb]

I’m so inspired by your videos! Beautiful!

[@helencousinsbotanics]

Thank you so much!

[@mercedescastellano9719]

What a pleasure and what a Botanical treasure, Helen! I’ve had a great time watching you so peacefully In such a place!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@helencousinsbotanics]

So, so glad that you enjoyed it!

[@samgonzalez-harte2426]

So beautiful Helen! So interesting to see the painting process/stages and gorgeous result! And so inspiring to see what can be achieved painting in your camper van! (which is beautiful too:) Dreamy lifestyle! Thank you for sharing those beautiful places and your painting process, love your videos!:)

[@mollycaton5063]

Love watching you paint this little beauty 💕

[@helencousinsbotanics]

So glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@victoriabolduc1009]

Beautiful & SO relaxing to watch! 💗

[@helencousinsbotanics]

Thank you so much Vicki! I’m glad you found it relaxing!

[@leslienewman2052]

Absolutely stunning work!

[@rowenao4186]

It is so beautiful. Thank you a lot for sharing.

[@helencousinsbotanics]

So glad you enjoyed it Rowena!

[@matthewsugden2253]

Beautiful stuff!

[@helencousinsbotanics]

Thanks Matt 👍

[@geraldineconway1865]

Beautiful job, it’s gorgeous.

[@ad6449]

Thank you for sharing this lovely video with us. The painting was delightful to watch develop and your location was stunning. There are great advantages to van life, indeed.

[@helencousinsbotanics]

Thank you so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed it.

[@marjoriewillis5120]

you do lovely work,it is so clean and fresh you are inspiring to watch. please keep sharing love the camper van very cosey.

[@helencousinsbotanics]

Thank you so much Marjorie, I will do!

[@gianlucacallara]

This is so beautiful, i just found your channel and obvs i've alreay subscribed. Im a watercolour artist too and i love watching others paint, it helps me develop my own skills. I wish you much success from London. x

[@helencousinsbotanics]

Hello Gianluca! Thank you so much, I hope my channel will give you some more inspiration. Back to you from not too far away in Windsor!

[@sallyblack2949]

Beautiful Helen! Although you seem to be using plenty of water your work is so neat.....I struggle to control the paint wet on wet and end up with smudgy edges! At what stage do you paint in the veins on the petals....they glow through the paint beautifully!

[@helencousinsbotanics]

Hi Sally, apologies that I am just seeing this question! This time round, I painted some underneath my washes, and then re-painted some on top which required some more definition. Thank you, I hope it helps!

[@mrenninger7766]

Thank you for sharing. I find watercolor stressful from time to time, but it doesn't look that way when you paint. Why - or when - do you whipe the brush on the towel?

[@helencousinsbotanics]

You're welcome... watercolour can be a difficult medium to get used to, but the joy comes from playing around with the paint, and learning how the paint and water work together... all about experimentation! I wipe the brush on the towel when I have a bit too much water on it - either picked up too much from the water jar, or picked it up on the paper (there may have been a bit of a puddle!)

[@EmilySmallcomb]

Which sketchbook were you using to house your original drawing of the flower- that you did the tracing of for the watercolor? I’d love to have one of those!

[@helencousinsbotanics]

Hi Emily! I'm really sorry but this was just bought from a very small shop when I was on holiday, and it doesn't have any label on it to indicate brand (a shame because I would love to buy another!) But, I have previously had a Stillman & Birn Zeta Sketchbook and absolutely loved it!

[@EmilySmallcomb]

Thanks Helen!! I will check out the Stillman and Birn sketchbooks. I’ll also keep my eye open for sketch books around small shops. What a great item to have from a trip!!

[@sandraworrall-hart3840]

@@EmilySmallcomb Make sure it is Zeta, the best paper in Stillman and Birn books

[@botanicalbrushstrokes]

what colors did u use ? Can u please share the names and mix

[@helencousinsbotanics]

I used W&N Permanent Rose, Cobalt Blue, Windsor Violet, Indanthrene Blue and Windsor Yellow

[@anamargaridaccq7974]

❤🪻🐶

[@manishapattnaik662]

How do you trace them?

[@helencousinsbotanics]

Using tracing paper, I trace, and then retrace on the back, to then place down on my watercolour paper and transfer the pencil lead onto the paper!

[@Liz.4485]

Tracing paper

[@steffi397]

Hi helen!!! Just wanted to ask, how do you transfer your drawing from the tracing paper to the watercolor paper?

[@helencousinsbotanics]

Hi Steffi! I use a transfer technique using tracing paper. So I trace my drawing onto tracing paper, turn the tracing paper over, and draw on the back of the image, and then turn it back over, place this onto my watercolour paper, and trace it for a third time, leaving the graphite lightly sitting on the surface of the watercolour paper! I hope that helps, more tips like this in my eBook! :)