The process for this Cactus Watercolor Collage is similar to the workshop I taught with the tulips. On 300# watercolor paper I lightly sketched the cactus shapes and where I wanted the flower blooms. Then I wet the paper and painted in some of the colors just to give me a starting point.
After the paint dried I started collaging on some papers for the flowers. I used some tissue papers that I bought - some solid pinks and some with designs on them. I wasn't sure I was happy with the design of the cactus - might need to change it at the bottom.
You can tell that I did change the design some - made the cactus in the front left more dominant. Started gluing on green papers - mostly tissue. The dark green was a heavier tissue paper with gold flecks (the mettalic doesn't photograph very well) that I used for shadows. Added more collage to the flowers and came in with more watercolor paint around the cactus and blooms for definition.
I continued adding papers, gradually building up texture and using some heavier rice papers. Painted more in the background and on the flowers. Added more collage... and so on until I felt like it was done - sometimes the hardest part is knowing when to stop!
Cactus in Bloom- SOLD - 11x15 inches original watercolor collage.
