First A Couple of General Notes

When you are using any of the paint tools you must set your presets prior to choosing your color or it will revert back to the default color
also once you choose your color the preset will go back to showing none but it does in fact keep your choice


Remember to Save often, once you save - clear your undo history.
If you find a setting you like or think you will use often refer to this snapshot tutorial by Debbie Hardisty on how to save your favorite brushes.
Saving Brush Settings to your Easy Palette

Also most all the settings specified in this tut are done with the brush panel.So once you set your Preset.....all other settings can be done from the brush panel

This can be done with a Wacom tablet or with a mouse.The settings are all approximate as each person will use a different amount of pressure or a firmer or softer stroke.Also remember the undo is a very important tool and you will need lots of patience. A lot of steps seem repetitive but when you are trying to achieve a certain look you may have to try several different tools to get the look you want.So it is kind of a back and forth process.(which is where the patience comes in)

Painting in Mode versus not

Please note that you may find it much easier to manipulate your painting if you were to paint in object mode.
Advantages to painting in mode is that you can paint a little bit at a time making it an object. If you decide later on down the line that you don't like that particular tree in that spot but it might look better on the other side of the canvas, you can simply move it over.

It also makes it easier should you require to blend certain aspects of your painting.





Lets Get Started
Open your New Canvas
I used 500 x 380 and a Dark Color
Click on the Mode button

 
Start by drawing an outline with your brush then filling it in with your color leaving a few areas thin as you see here
I used the Pencil to draw the outline and the Bristle Split 2 for the fill

 

Paint brush,Fine Brush
size 15 transparency 87 soft edge 40 add your second color
run direction of petals
on sides top to center inward
bottom to center inward
center wide petal edge to middle

 


Paint Brush-Fine Brush Color pink
size 15 transparency 60 soft edge 60
edge to center on wide petals
edge to center edges only narrow petals
center from edge to middle
you can look at picture to see your pattern
Once you are satisfied with this section
clear the undo history
Paint Brush fine brush color size 5 yellowgreen center of edge on each petal and changing color to a Wine make an upside down V on each around the green you just made in the center of each of the petals.
Airbrush Transparency 40 color yellow green about 1/4 of way down each of wide petals as seen here

Bristle Brush Preset grass
size 50 transparency 33
Using the Brush Panel
brushhead size 11 density 34
You wont be able to run all the way down on top petal so come from top to middle until you get near other petals then reduce size to about 15
bristle brush same colorand drag down to center

Here I did a little touch up of petals using eyedropper to match colors

then using Bristle Brush one shade lighter than petals size 15 transparency 17
brushhead size 10 density 35
make tiny veins in each petal making sure to run with the grain

switch to fine brush
Color wine size 4
straight line option and make your
markings for center petals as seen here


make your center parts as shown here painting in mode chalk tool multicolor for gold centers
.pink fine brush for under gold
(I duplicated this and put one behind the gold to fill are a bit)
Pink for long piece
and paint yellowgreen for tip
Pink for the V piece
then use the dodge on the v piece and 1/2 of the long piece from end
in for shine
PaintBrush fine brush transparency and soft edge about 95
using 3-4 shades darker than main color

make shading on outer petals as shown here making sure to run the same way of veins.. and then a couple more shades darker for the center
Dodge tool at about level 30 to highlight petals as shown in picture
Bristle Smear Preset fine smear
about size 15 level40 and very gently run around edges to give a slightly ragged edge....... Blur tool Level 1 soft edge 100 very lightly blur entire flower

I thought the shape was a little too stiff so I unlocked the sizing tool and narrowed just a bit then used the distort and reshaped very slightly
(If it needs a little reshaping you can use the warp tool,distort tool,or eraser until you are happy with the shape) I also used the burn tool at a very low level to add a little more depth and separation of petals then the blur at level 1 to blend the center and make it softer.
Last thing I did was change the background .I thought the black was a bit too harsh so I played with the Wine multicolor making darker around flower and lighter as you move away from center




I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial
If I can answer any questions feel free to email me
sparrow8@cogeco.ca