Wildflower Watercolour: Recognize & Paint the Poetry of Nature

An inspiring guide for learning to recognise and paint the beauty of wild flowers and the untamed nature that surrounds us.

Poppies, plantains, elderberries, chamomile, wild roses...
These are just a few of the wildflowers that we come across in our gardens or
during walks. For the watercolourist, however, their translucent petals and
subtle hues are irresistible. In this inspiring how-to book, Gaëtane Nicoulin,
a passionate watercolourist and lover of nature, teaches us how to recognise
and paint wildflowers, providing readers with the watercolour techniques we
need to paint flowers that grow naturally in fields and meadows. The author
invites us to go out and encounter these flowers ourselves, sharpening our
observation and interpretation skills and developing our own style. A valuable
resource for artists at all levels, the book includes a step-by-step study of
20 plants and 5 detailed projects for creating floral compositions, in addition
to specific painting techniques and tips. Gaëtane’s approach to flowers is also
a celebration of the untamed nature that surrounds us, inviting us to observe
and to depict wildflowers in simplified versions which capture their essence.
In addition to encouraging us to engage in a more contemplative kind of
painting, the book also offers recipes involving berries and flowers that teach
us how to identify and enjoy the many benefits of nature.

Gaëtane Nicoulin-Béchir grew up in a verdant region of northwestern Switzerland. She spent her childhood in the fields braiding wreaths of flowers and arranging bouquets of beautiful wildflowers. Her grandmother and, later, her mother would gather the flowers and use them to make remedies or delicious aromatic recipes. Gaëtane, a chemistry laboratory specialist, has always remained connected to nature, and watercolour has become a means of telling her story. Painting this facet of the natural wilderness is a way for her to reveal its fragile and poetic beauty, to show how it deserves to be observed and preserved. Gaëtane has enjoyed sharing her technical and creative knowledge for several years now, learning to sharpen her vision in classes and workshops. To communicate to an even wider audience the poetry as well as the peace of mind that the practice of watercolour provides.