The Cactus House Mural is completed! I thought I'd start the post with the finished mural, and then go back in time to when I started today's session, (Sunday).
When I arrived at the glasshouse the sun was shining in, so I had to wear sunglasses!
Stepping back to survey the scene, I noticed what appeared to be a line of dots in the distance ...
A camel train! Where had they come from?
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My paintbrush - at the request of Mike Hughes, Head Gardener! They will be a useful addition when schools visit the garden, to talk about the desert habitat and how camels store water.
Having painted in the camels, I turned my attention to the Echinopsis pachanoi, adding more detail and definition to the flowers, and multitudes of spines.
The Cereus jamacaru also got its share of spines.
I wasn't quite satisfied with the Echinocactus grusonii. Their forms were OK, but they wanted a little more subtlety in the treatment.
That's better! (The colour is entirely different because between these two photos being taken it had gone dark and I had switched the lights on, affecting the colour on the photos). I had softened the contours and added a goldish 'halo' to indicate the fine spines.
The Opuntia robusta needed a little more shadowing ...
Having painted in the camels, I turned my attention to the Echinopsis pachanoi, adding more detail and definition to the flowers, and multitudes of spines.
The Cereus jamacaru also got its share of spines.
I wasn't quite satisfied with the Echinocactus grusonii. Their forms were OK, but they wanted a little more subtlety in the treatment.
That's better! (The colour is entirely different because between these two photos being taken it had gone dark and I had switched the lights on, affecting the colour on the photos). I had softened the contours and added a goldish 'halo' to indicate the fine spines.
The Opuntia robusta needed a little more shadowing ...
I added more deeper colour in places to achieve the desired effect.
I also worked into the rocks a little more to give the sense of depth.
Before deciding definitely that the mural was finished, I went along section by section, starting with the Aloe dichotoma. I had worked a little more detail into the leaves earlier, and was satisfied. The Agave americana were also ready.
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Next I checked over the Cereus jamacaru.
All was satisfactory there, and also with the Aloe buhrii.
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The Echinocactus grusonii were finished.
The Opuntia robusta was now complete, with its many spines indicated in the paint.
Lastly the Echinopsis pachanoi, and the foreground rocks - all finished to my satisfaction!
Creating the Cactus House Mural has been a tremendously enjoyable experience. I have found the artwork challenging and fulfilling, and the studio setting fantastic. Working next to a large raised pond in which Victoria amazonica has been flowering almost nightly has been unforgettable. The sound of crickets chirping has added to the magic of the moment.
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The mural will be installed in the Cactus House imminently.
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To see further examples of Ingrid Sylvestre's work please visit her main site Ingrid Sylvestre Art.
For commissions and bookings please email:
IngridSylvestreArt[at]gmail[dot[com
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Cactus House Mural University of Durham Botanice Garden by North East Artist Ingrid Sylvestre UK County Durham Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland Tyne & Wear Middlesbrough Teesside Darlington Northumberland North Yorkshire Yorkshire UK Mural Artist Fine Artist Illustrator Writer Storyteller Live Event Entertainment North East Entertainment UK Caricaturist Silhouette Artist Wedding Caricatures North East Wedding Entertainment Corporate Events Entertainment Business Launches Trade Shows Party Entertainment Luxury Events Glamicature TM Caricatures and Silhouettes UK Artist Ingrid Sylvestre*****
