olive branch

Italian food is so satisfying and their way of life so utterly beautiful. I'm having many (slightly clichéd, but wonderful) day dreams of driving through the hills and olive groves of Tuscany and Umbria in an old convertible Alfa Romeo, with all that beautiful, Mediterranean light pouring over everything.

Ahhh.

This greetings card is inspired by that day dreamed moment, symbolised perhaps by an olive branch. It could also be a good card for saying you're sorry to someone? Just a thought.

You will need:
White card
Cream sugar paper
Water colour paints
Pencil
Glue
Scissors
Some olives (to nibble on while you're painting, and maybe a glass of wine too!)

Begin by folding your card in half and cutting to an approximate a5 rectangle. Cut your sugar paper to the same size and cover the card with it, until you have something like the above. Then give the card a rough wash in a watery terracotta colour.

Once the wash has dried, you can draw on your design. Long elegant lines with pointed oval leaves. Paint the leaves a warm green colour.

Use a slightly darker green to add veins and shade. Paint your olives with fat ovals of very dark grey paint, and add light detail with a paler grey. Bellissimo!

They feel very Italian and rustic, and are guaranteed to put a smile on any foodie's face. I also think a set of three would look wonderful in simple white frames hung as a triptych.
Hamilton