My Blog

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Christmas Greetings Cards

October 21, 2019 by Helen Parry

Some of us are already getting into the full swing of the Christmas spirit, whilst others probably think it’s still too early! But it’s best to be prepared for one of the most exciting times of the year.

The Christmas season is wonderful for creating some seasonal paintings. There are noticeable wildlife changes here in rural Shropshire during the Winter months and it is truly a delight to see. In particular, it’s charming to see more red breasted robins, fluttering around by my studio. Seeing these adorable little birds inspired this painting. However, before I began painting this little Robin, I drew an outline based upon the Robins I see perched on the overhead lines, as they watch the evening sunlight disappear. The pink and purple tones of the Robin come alive in the evening sunlight.

greeting card of a robin bird in watercolour — Robin greeting card by Helen Parry

Greetings Cards

To celebrate the magnificent wildlife we see more of at this time of year, I have created some adorable Christmas greetings cards in an assorted pack specifically for Christmas wishes. These packs include; squirrels, deer, hares and foxes! All with a special ‘Merry Christmas’ message on the front.

Alternatively, you can purchase my Christmas greetings cards individually or in packs of six of the same design. All cards are 145x145mm and the envelopes are included. Prices start at £2.40 for a single card of £12.00 for a pack of six.

Further to this, I also offer greetings cards in frames. A fabulous Christmas gift idea, these are ideal for wildlife lovers. Here are a couple of deers that I created lightly dusted in snow! All of my framed greetings cards are available in a choice of frames; either, oak or white and are 203mm x 203mm.

Two deer in the snow. Greetings card in an oak frame.

Rusty reds, golden yellows and splashes of burnt orange: Autumn is here…

October 6, 2019 by Helen Parry

It’s official, the seasons are changing. With the temperature gradually dropping, although it may feel a sudden change, Autumn is finally here! It’s a treat to see the leaves slowly changing colour to those magnificent red and orange hues we associate with October and it’s wonderful to create some paintings with these colours incorporated.

To celebrate this time of year, I would love to share some of my more Autumnal images that I have created, hopefully these will inspire you to get outdoors and enjoy the stunning sunsets and golden light we receive in the early evenings.

Arley in the Autumn

watercolour painting of autumn colours — Arley in Autumn watercolour landscape painting by Helen Parry

The strong splashes of Autumn colours abound Arley Arboretum here, creating a breath-taking thick carpet of crisp golden, rust coloured leaves. Every intricate dotted brushstroke of yellow, orange and red watercolour paint has been created by a delicate brush and a delicate hand. I haven’t flicked or sprayed the paint onto the paper. Instead I controlled the brushstrokes of paint, which requires a great amount of concentration. To find out more about how I created this piece, take a look at my painting blog.

Sunset Through the Trees

watercolour painting of sunset through silhouette of trees and leaves — Sunset through the Trees original painting watercolour by Helen Parry

Here in Shropshire, we are very fortunate to live on a ridge and see some spectacular sunrises and sunsets. I was always particularly struck by seeing the sunset through a silhouette of our Ash trees. It really brought the sunset to life. I loved the delicate swirling leaves, dancing across the warm vibrant orange sky. In my painting blog, I give detail and information on how I used very wet washes to build up the stunning reds and orange colours to create this painting.

Wrekin in the Evening Sunlight

watercolour painting of wrekin hill in autumn evening sunlight — Wrekin in Evening Sunlight original painting watercolour by Helen Parry

This painting; Wrekin in Evening Sunlight was inspired by the view I saw on an evening stroll. It was a warm Autumn evening and the sun was setting over the Clees. When I noticed the landscape had a warm orange glow. The Autumn trees appeared to be vibrant orange cotton balls, standing out on the darkening landscape. This painting started out with warm yellow washes across the paper which built up to produce these stunning golden Autumnal colours. In my painting blog I explain how I painted Wrekin in the Evening Sunlight.

Autumn is also a wonderful time to get snuggly and embrace the warmth of your home especially with the nights’ drawing in rather rapidly. It is also the perfect time to make a change in your home décor to suit this season change. Having new artwork to display on your walls will impress friends and family, they will also certainly be a delightful talking point. You can purchase any of my Autumnal scenes for your home through my online shop, some are available as original watercolour paintings and the giclée prints are available starting at £39.99. Alternatively, if you have one special place that you adore, why not commission me to paint a wonderful autumnal scene for you? I appreciate stunning landscapes and I would love to find out more about your special place. Find out more information about my bespoke landscape commissions here.

Red Tulip – watercolour sketch #82

April 2, 2019 by Helen Parry

Red Tulip watercolour with layers of pink hues

The Red Tulip was painted at the same time as painting other Tulips in the garden. Starting with an upturned plant pot and a roof tile as a makeshift table for palettes and water-filled jam jars. It was a gorgeous dry sunny day, as I sat under the shade of the Serviceberry Tree painting the Tulips. Then quickly working from one painting to the next as I waited for layers of watercolour to dry. Also taking time to enjoy the lovely sunny views of the Shropshire hills, from the garden too!

The Red Tulip caught my eye, not just for it’s dramatic fiery red tones, but for the hues of a vibrant pink, blending beautifully with the strong warm red tones. The tulip will make a bold colourful watercolour.

Helen Parry Watercolour Artist Red Tulip

Painting layers of red watercolour

First I created three palette watercolour mixes, a red, a green and a blue/ grey mix. I used a very pale red watercolour mix for the vibrant pink tones on the petals. The Red Tulip had pink hues from the centre of each petal and again on the edges of the petals. These washes were very pale and built up in layers to achieve a deeper pink tone to the watercolour painting.

Once the pink layers had dried I added more pigment to the red mix. I used the deeper red mix to paint the curved areas of the petals. Lots of layers were added to create a stronger colour to the Red Tulip. I kept adding more pigment to the red mix and applying to the red areas of the petals, leaving the pink tones untouched.

Painting subtle shading

When painting the shading I tend to add an initial wash and then decide how dark the shading needs to be. If you paint the shading too dark, the petals can look confusing lying against each other. So I used the light blue/ grey mix for the shading. It gave a softer tone to the Red Tulip. The base of the petals had a slight blue tone to them. As a botanical watercolour artist I am always observing the balance between warm and cool tones.

Red Tulip watercolour painting available to Buy ready framed

Finally I painted the green stem using the green mix. Again I applied layers of watercolour to create a smooth look to the stem.

The Red Tulip watercolour depicts the pink hues blending into the fiery red tones, layers and layers of watercolour washes blending together. I used St Cuthberts Mill Bockingford 425gsm paper, to cope with the heavier washes.

The completed Red Tulip painting is now available to buy ready framed, with a choice of off-white or oak frame. You can also buy a ready framed Giclée print. Click on the link to see the lovely choices available.

Mothers Day Greeting Cards Designs

March 10, 2019 by Helen Parry

Beautiful Mothers Day Greeting Cards

Firstly there are gorgeous Mothers Day greeting cards available in my art shop. They have been specially created from watercolour paintings of the lovely quirky wildlife I get to observe, sketch and paint on a regular basis. I’m lucky enough to live in the rolling hills of Shropshire and so I’m surrounded by fields and woodlands filled with wonderful wildlife. These wildlife animals are the inspiration behind the Mothers Day greeting cards.

Please feel free to click on the links that take you to a range of Mothers Day cards. There are lots of beautiful cards to choose from for the very special mother in your life, (whether she is a he, a biological Mom, adoptive Mom, foster Mom, or a wonderful person who fulfills the role of Mom in our lives). They are our greatest supporters, so send your lovely Mom a loving reminder of how important they are to you this Mothers Day!

watercolour painting of doe deer trotting with fawn deer following behind — On Parade deer greeting card

“Mom,

we’re a team,

you and I,

I’ll be on parade,

with you any day,

your love means more,

than I can ever say…”

greeting card of mother hare surrounded by leverets — Motherly Love hare greeting card

“Hold me close,

always be near,

a mother’s love,

is very dear…”

Mothers Day cards posted on social media with a sweet little verse

With each of the Mothers Day greeting cards I created a little verse. These sweet little verses helped promote these gorgeous wildlife cards on my social media platforms. Hopefully they reflect the special meaning our mothers have for us and are a lovely compliment to the watercolour art I created.

So I’m not only creating colourful watercolours, but lovely little verses too. There will be more verses as I progress hopefully. Get in touch, let me know what you think?

greeting card of playful pine martens with mother — Playful pine marten greeting card

“All the times we were playful,

Mom you were there,

always taking care,

guiding,

helping,

sharing,

your love…”

greeting card of hare couple facing three leverets — Words of Wisdom hare greeting card

“Mother dear,

you whisper words of wisdom,

we hear, all your cares and worries,

keeping us safe,

in your warm embrace,

believing in us,

building trust,

surrounding us,

with happiness,

overflowing with love…”

Mothers Day Message

To all the hard-working Mothers who gently guide us through life, with patience and love xx

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

This cute card I designed is called ‘Get a Move on”, part of the wildlife greeting cards I create. I think it says it all about how our mothers support and guide us through the many distractions of life.

mothers day greeting — Get a Move on fox greeting card

Valentines greeting cards

February 1, 2019 by Helen Parry

Valentines Greeting Cards for 2019

First of all, there is a growing range of beautiful wildlife Valentines greeting cards in my art shop. Each greeting card design has been specially created, to reflect the beauty in nature and all the gorgeous wildlife I get to see.

I don’t have much free time, being a watercolour artist my abilities are pulled in all directions, from creating illustrations, watercolour commissions, one off special designs and painting watercolour landscapes, botanical watercolours and wildlife watercolour paintings. So my spare time is spent being outdoors amongst the wild places, photographing, observing, sketching and painting the flora and fauna and the wildlife. Therefore if I’m not painting in the studio, I’m out and about observing and painting!

greeting card of pine marten couple side by side in wild meadow — Side by Side pine marten greeting card

greeting card of fox nuzzling vixen amongst red roses — Smitten fox greeting card

Wildlife watercolours with tender loving scenes

For the Valentines greeting cards I have used all my wildlife and botanical resources to create a beautiful range of Valentines cards that express tender loving moments. All the wildlife watercolour cards show the wonderful quirky behaviour of all the animals I observe. Hope you love them just as much as me! so please feel free to click on the link and see more of the Valentines greeting cards in the collection. Do you have a favourite? Let me know what you think.

greeting card of hare with red roses in mouth and falling petals forming a heart shape — Red Roses Hare greeting card

watercolour painting of doe deer with red rose in mouth — Just for You deer greeting card

Happy Valentines Day

Finally I want to wish you all a Happy Valentines day xx

Hopefully you will be lucky enough (there’s still time to drop a hint) to receive one my beautiful wildlife Valentines greeting cards!

New Year 2019

January 1, 2019 by Helen Parry

New Year wishes

Just wanted to say Happy New Year wishes to you all!

Hope you’ve all had a lovely Christmas with family and friends. I was very fortunate to spend Christmas with my family in the wilds of Scotland. There was no snow underfoot, but definitely plenty on the mountain tops.

I have been taking photographs of the stunning Scottish scenery, from the mountains in Glencoe, across the shimmering glass lochs, including Loch Lomond and Loch Ness, to the infamous domed mound of Ben Nevis. Also I’ve been studying, sketching and painting waterfalls with torrents of water along the chilling, yet stunning west coast of Scotland.

fine art print of stag deer in winter landscape — Stag in Winter fine art print by Helen Parry

There has been plenty of wildlife, from the stags at Glen Etive to the does trotting through the cottage garden, where we’re staying. There were hints of pine martens. Seals lay on the rocks catching the last rays of sunshine, while otters pop their heads out of the water. The Herons stand tall on the rocks, surveying the water. While buzzards and sea eagles whirl above us.

There has been a treasure trove of wonders to explore. Lots of watercolour sketches and notes to make sense of it all, which I’ll use to create watercolour paintings and more watercolour greeting cards.

If you’re thinking of a beautiful wildlife watercolour commission for 2019, get in touch, I have plenty of resources to create a wonderful wildlife painting!

Pine marten new year message

New Year Wishes to you all….