0801 Brown Orchid (Zygopetalum)

Botanical Illustration. Artist Code: 0801. Completed May 2008. Original SOLD. Water colour on Aquarelle Arches 100% hot pressed cotton rag paper. Unframed size 12″ x 16″. Framed size 26” x 20” 

SOLD by the Darryl Nantais Gallery, Linton, Nr Cambridge. Proprietor: Karl Backhurst 01223 891289.

As already mentioned, my neighbour grows beautiful orchids and regularly hands them to me over the garden fence as they come into flower so that I can paint them in my studio.

Because of a rush in other work matters, I had to paint this picture over two years; the flower heads in the first year, then the leaves and bulbs the second year. Fortunately, my initial and concise pencil sketch meant that although the leaves had grown, I was still able to depict the plant accurately in its original form.

Poem:

Zygopetalum a wonderful name,
This lovely orchid’s bridge to fame
A shimmering star of umber brown,
And purple skirt gently billowing down
Swirling and curling, the textural bloom,
To paint it complete—there was no room!