Watercolor Mineral Specimen Series

I’m putting together a cohesive collection of small watercolor paintings—each no larger than 8×10 inches—that captures the subtle color, texture, and crystalline structure of a curated selection of natural rock and mineral specimens. The final set will include at least 65 to 80 individual pieces; the exact count may climb a little higher as the series evolves.

I already have reference photos for part of the collection and will share those with you at the outset. For the remaining specimens, I’ll count on your eye to source or shoot clear, well-lit references that stay true to the stone’s natural hues and surface details. Accuracy matters to me; collectors who buy mineral art notice when a labradorite’s flash or a malachite’s banding feels off.

Your process can be entirely traditional—wet-in-wet, dry-brush, layered glazes—so long as the end result is archival and ready for matting. I’ll need a high-resolution scan (300 dpi or better) of each finished piece in addition to the original artwork, as I plan to issue limited-edition prints later.

Deliverables
• 65+ original watercolor paintings on acid-free paper, each ≤ 8×10 inches
• 300 dpi color-corrected scans of every painting (TIFF or high-quality JPG)
• Brief provenance notes for any reference images you source yourself

Acceptance
A painting is complete when the mineral’s form, optical effects (shine, translucence, iridescence), and palette match the agreed reference, and when the scan reproduces those qualities faithfully. Full copy rights to me.

If this sounds like your kind of project, let’s talk timing and shipping details so we can get brushes moving soon.