Independent Study
The arrival of the mariposa (monarch butterfly) along the coast signals a cultural beginning to autumn. The butterflies symbolize change, transformation, rebirth, hope, and abundance.
What you will learn
This course was inspired by the fall migration of the Western Monarch Butterfly.
Learn my process as a breakdown, and I will show you how to create depth and pull the viewer's attention in a painting.
While learning the techniques, begin with a fun color painting, then dive deeper into a cluster of roosting butterflies.
What's fascinating about this process is that you may notice how your creative style emerges as you work your way through the painting.
Paint at your own pace, anytime, includes lifetime access.
View the Curriculum
- Getting started (0:25)
- Line drawing
- Reference photos
- Monarch Garden 1 _ create the composition (5:51)
- Monarch Garden 2 _ add color to the wings (8:04)
- Monarch Garden 3 _ mask (7:18)
- Monarch Garden 4 _ wet-into-wet (26:23)
- Monarch Garden 5 _ background (2:37)
- Monarch Garden 6 _ details (6:33)
- Monarch Garden 7 _ layer color (10:21)
- Monarch 1 _ design (13:14)
- Monarch 2 _ find shapes (14:20)
- Monarch 3 _ wet-into-wet (36:28)
- Monarch 4 _ build color (2:45)
- Monarch 5 _ mask (9:54)
- Monarch 6 - details (20:40)
- Monarch 7 - simplfy the chaos (32:49)
- Monarch 8 _ choose color and pour (10:50)
- Monarch 9 _ push shapes back (6:59)
- Monarch 10 _ mask details (11:28)
- Monarch 11 - wings (18:01)
- Monarch 12 _ pull the butterfies forward (18:59)
- Monarch 13 _ remove the masking (5:29)
- Monarch 14 _ add the sky (17:44)
- Monarch 15 _ wing details (10:52)
- Monarch 16 _ build depth (4:56)
- Monarch 17 _ final details (4:28)
The Western monarch butterfly is near extinction, Why care?
Besides the monarch’s intrinsic value and beauty, it and other insects contribute to our wellbeing in these important ways:
The fragile monarch serves as a canary in the coal mine to alert us to environmental sickness. Monarchs and honeybees could be the first to fall before a collapse. Mary Ellen Hannibal, the San Francisco-based author of “Citizen Scientist,” is clear: “Insect life is at the very foundation of our life-support systems. We can’t lose these insects.”
Monarchs and other insects are pollinators. Monarchs pollinate mostly wildflowers and other flowers. As they suck out the nectar, their legs catch and transfer pollens. Bees and bumblebees are the primary workers, pollinating about 70 percent of our fruits and vegetables. Without pollinators we could be forced to hand-pollinate fruit trees, as many farmers in China do today...more
About Birgit O'Connor
Birgit O’Connor is a Master artist and a signature member of M-NWWS, (Northwest Watercolor Society) M-CWA, (California Watercolor Association) M-LWS (Louisiana Watercolor Society).
She is an award winning artist, judge, juror and author of the top-selling North Light books “ Watercolor in Motion”"Paint Watercolor Flowers" and “Watercolor Essentials” along with being included in three other titles. Known for her original paintings and inspirational teaching style.
Publications include the New York Times, SF Gate,Artist Magazine, and Watercolor Artist Magazine INK in New Mexico, in the United States, Dobry Zank, (Poland) "L'Art de l'Aquarelle (France). Her memberships include Cambridge Who’s Who, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who in American Women.
Monarch Cluster Tote
Add to your outfit with this stylish bag, wonderful day or night, or on the go.