White Peonies

white peonies pen drawing
White Peonies

Artist Comments


Where I live, peony season is far too short, and rainy weather ruins the delicate petals very quickly. This variety has less compact petals, and the flowers tend to stay more upright on their stems.

Flower petals in pen and ink pose an irresistible challenge. The lighter the petal color, the fewer ink lines used. Capturing the essence of the petal anatomy without losing delicacy definitely taxes my restraint! Techniques used in this drawing are a combination of contour lines and cross-hatching. As is usual, I like to show subjects as part of a scene rather than as studies without context…So, as a foil to the light flowers, a much darker (and in places, leather-y looking) foliage background was in order.

Materials used: Copic Multiliner pens on 300 lb. hot press Fabriano watercolor paper. Size of original: 6-3/4″ X 8-5/8″.

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