If you want variety in your flower painting, orchids are one of the best subjects you could choose. One of the most diverse families, they offer an immense choice of colour, shape and size and can be found in the warmest as well as coldest places. As well as being ornamental, they have uses in both cooking and medicine.

Vivienne Clawson is a keen gardener as well as an accomplished artist whose influences include Shirley Trevena and Elizabeth Blackadder. Her work falls into the category of the flower portrait, where realistic representation is tempered by interpretation that captures the feel of the subject as well as its look. Here, though, she is keen to encourage you to develop your own style and vision and to act as a guide rather than an instructor.

The technical introduction is second to none and covers colours, shapes, structure and composition as well as patterns and tonal values. All of this is valuable for work with any flower, rather than orchids specifically and you’ll learn how to capture stems, leaves and even roots as well as the more obvious petals. All your skills are then brought together in three complete projects that combine everything nicely.

This is an excellent guide to flower painting that goes a long way beyond what may seem initially like a rather specialised subject.

Search Press . Paperback . 128 pages . Colour throughout