Perennials
Flowers are the most demanding subjects to draw — finding the subtle changes in color and texture, rendering the depth and structure and discovering their intimate secrets. To quote from Wendy Hollender, “Observing nature’s quiet beauty, structure and color is a wonderful way to learn to draw and experience nature at the same time.”
The first two photos below are from a series of greeting cards I created. The Artichoke Thistle is from a botanical drawing retreat at The Garden of Lemons in Spain, the Passionflower Vine I found in a secret alleyway in the Primrose Hill neighborhood of London, and the Chrysanthemum and Peonies were commissioned by an old friend who discovered my work on a ChevyChase Art Walk - the Chrysanthemum for her husbands birthday and the Peonies as a wedding present.
Above: Hydrangea Bouquet from my garden.
Below: Oriental Lily, Day Lily, Artichoke Thistle, Peonies, Chrysanthemums, and a Passionflower Vine.
Annuals
Zinnias and Cosmos have become an annual planting ritual in our community garden. I love their structure and colors and look forward to drawing them throughout July and August.
Tomatoes
There is something very satisfying about drawing heirloom tomatoes — capturing the folds of warm colors and the juicy inside. These drawings were created during my drawing retreat at Hart Hill Garden in August 2022.
