First "Real" Watercolor

Good Happy Monday Morning Everyone!!!

I am so excited today!  I am going to share my first "REAL" watercolor with you.  I say real because I bought some Dr. Ph. Martin Hydrus Fine Art Watercolor Paints and I haven't really painted an actual picture from start to finish. Well, I should say I did paint one when I was a (hs) freshman but it wasn't very good. I've always wanted to watercolor but if you recall I explained about my art experience in school - not being good enough so I never perused it.   After my taste of drawing again I decided that I was going to go ahead and take the plunge!

Recently I saw this photo on Ken Oliver's FB page.  I have no idea what type of flower it is but I was so taken with it I asked him if I might be allowed to try my hand at it.  He graciously said yes so this was my first subject.  (I've been saving it until I got my paints.)

Edited to add: It is a Star Magnolia and it's a very early bloomer.  Simply stunning!

This weekend I set about drawing the flower - it's just a rough sketch but it turned out fairly close I'd say...

and here's an "in the process" photo - starting to take shape!

and finally here is my at the moment finished product!  I know it's not perfect but I am so happy with how it turned out!  I do have to admit though that I'm too chicken to try to paint a background - I'm afraid I'll screw it up!  

And here's another look at the photo...

Well, what do you think?

Honest opinions please.