Soraya French - Contemporary Flowers in Mixed Media

To my beloved trio, Tim, Yasmin and Saasha, whose mixture of gentle encouragement and brutally honest criticism motivates me to try harder. Without their help and support none of this would be possible. xxx

Painting flowers in mixed media presents the artist with the opportunity to combine exquisite transparent washes of inks and watercolours with the vivid colours of opaque wet and dry media to interpret the stunning colours of nature. Spontaneity, versatility and unpredictability are at the core of painting contemporary semi-abstract flowers in mixed media, but it is the degree of control that is the most appealing feature of working in this expressive and exciting way decisions can be made and remade numerous times to allow a painting to evolve and find its natural flow and rhythm in a more unrestrained manner than can result from a laborious and tentative process.

Tulip Fusion

76 56 cm (30 22 in)

Mixed media on watercolour paper

If you are reading this book then I hope you are ready to take a leap of faith and step into the complex but fascinating world of painting semi-abstract flowers in mixed media. There is no competing with mother nature, the greatest artist of all, so this book is my attempt to encourage you not to recreate, but to interpret the incredible amount of inspiring visual information flowers offer as a subject, in the most unique and individual way to you.

This versatile and transformative form of expression encompasses a broad range of disciplines and means something different to each individual artist. The ethos behind this book is to explore the subjects many possibilities in a way that is most relevant to your personal approach to painting. Ultimately I hope the ideas inspire you to adapt a more expressive yet relaxed, intuitive and fluid attitude to your creative process.

Painting the most striking and flamboyant offerings of nature in mixed media is such an immersive and engaging experience. Creating art presents, of course, its own kind of stresses and dilemmas, but these are not bad stresses, and with an open mind, imagination and a variety of media and techniques, you should always be able to find new solutions and let your creativity transport you to a happy place.

I started and completed this book in 2020, during the most challenging of times for the human race, and it is testimony to the therapeutic magic of creativity. It has truly sustained me throughout this difficult time and I hope the joy I took in writing this book resonates with you and motivates you to pick up your brushes and immerse yourself in the joy of creation.

In this book you will find comprehensive information regarding different media. This is not to encourage you to buy more art supplies, but to help you make informed choices. Youll also discover demonstrations and projects to guide you through negative shape painting, colour relationships, combining media and colour mixing.

Unless otherwise stated, all the acrylics, QoR watercolours and Williamsburg oil paints are manufactured by Golden Artist Colors. Oil pastels and crayons are from Caran dAche, soft pastels are by Sennelier, Unison and Jacksons, watercolour papers are by St Cuthberts Mill, and FW inks, mount boards and Langton paper are by Daler-Rowney. There are equivalent brands available for some of the products.

Pink and White Lilies

51 41cm (20 16in)

Mixed media on watercolour paper

I dont really have a profound reason for my love of painting flowers other than that their dazzling colours and spectacular shapes suit my colourful and contemporary approach to painting. I paint flowers when I am happy or sad; it is the subject I turn to when inspiration runs dry. Painting them in mixed media keeps creative boredom at bay as the infinite combination of materials presents fresh surprises and exciting possibilities. It really suits impatient, expressive and spontaneous artists who thrive on working organically and enjoy taking risks without the fear of failure.

My painting process has always been intuitive, but I have learnt to analyze it more in order to teach and write about it. When working on personal projects I am careful not to let the analytical side stifle the intuitive process, and successful pieces are the ones where I get the balance right.

Writing this note a few years ago would have sounded very different indeed. Each year of walking along the creative path brings more Aha moments, and with them comes not only a greater understanding of the reasons for painting in the first place but, better still, a more fluid and relaxed attitude towards the process of creating art. Right now enjoying the process and experiencing the therapeutic and meditative effect of painting is at the top of my list, and success of any kind along the way is the cherry on the cake.

Looking at my brightly coloured paintings you will never guess that I am mostly attracted to paintings with much more sophisticated and understated colour schemes. To remain true to myself, however, I hope to continue painting with these unapologetically vibrant colours for as long as I can. I am full of gratitude to have my work and most treasured pastime merge so seamlessly together and never a day goes by when I take this privilege for granted.

Birthday flowers

51 51 cm (20 20 in)

Mixed media on mount board.

A Touch of Spring

79 56 cm (31 22 in)

Mixed media on mount board

The art world is overflowing with talented artists; it is your authenticity and individuality that will help you thrive in this competitive arena. Cultivating your own voice needs internal focus while progressing with the technical aspects of your painting. It is through frequent practice and by closely observing and studying the repeated patterns in your own work that you get to know who you are as an artist and what makes you tick.

If you are just starting out and dabbling in different subjects and media, pick out the few that get your heart racing and make you rush to pick up your brushes. Working in a series of your most stimulating subjects creates a body of work with a common thread rather than numerous paintings each singing a different tune. Limiting external influences to a few you truly admire helps focus your mind, and always analyze and study rather than copy. Use inspiration like the spices in your kitchen: a little sprinkle to add that extra touch of magic but not to overshadow your own individuality.