I've been spending more time working from life recently, it's a challenge but I've found it easier to paint directly from life than drawing first.... I have more freedom with a paintbrush, pencils are too static and restrictive.

I bought a bunch of wonderful parrot tulips, they're amazing to paint!  All the frills and flounces would have taken me hours to draw accurately, so I dampened the paper and started adding colour, developing the curves and ruffles as I went.  I'm quite pleased with how it turned out!

Orange Parrots - ©Ruth S HarrisWatercolour, 15" x  11"