White Peony Watercolor Painting – The Story Behind the Artwork

There is something about white peonies that has always fascinated me. Their abundance of petals, the subtle changes of color and the way light moves through the flower make them endlessly interesting to paint.

At first glance, a white peony may simply appear white. But when I look more closely, I see so much more: delicate touches of warm cream, soft pinks, cool blue-grey shadows and reflected colors from the surrounding leaves. These quiet variations are what give a white flower its form and luminosity.

As with all of my paintings, this white peony watercolor painting was created from my own reference photographs. Working from my own photographs is very important to me. It allows me to return to a moment I have actually experienced and to make my own decisions about composition, light and atmosphere rather than simply reproducing someone else’s image.

Painting Light, Petal by Petal

One of the things I love most about painting white flowers in watercolor is that the white itself is largely created by what happens around it. I preserve the light of the watercolor paper and gradually build the delicate shadows and colors that describe each petal.

For this painting, I worked slowly in transparent layers. Some edges remain soft and almost disappear, while others become more defined. Little by little, the flower begins to emerge from the paper.

The surrounding greens and darker passages became especially important. As they grew richer and deeper, the white peony seemed to become more luminous. I love this stage of a painting – the moment when the contrasts begin to work together and the flower suddenly feels alive.

For me, painting a flower is not simply about recording how it looks. It is about capturing what made me stop and look at it in the first place.

Painting a Hibiscus in Watercolor

Painting a Hibiscus in Watercolor is a wonderful way to explore rich color, soft transitions and the delicate details that make a flower feel alive.

For this painting, I was especially drawn to the beautiful changes of color within the petals – from soft pinks and violets to the deeper, warmer reds around the center of the flower.

Rather than trying to finish a petal in one wash, I like to build the color gradually. Transparent layers allow me to deepen the shadows while keeping the lighter areas luminous. I watch closely where an edge needs to stay soft and where a slightly stronger edge helps to describe the shape and movement of a petal.

In the short video below, I invite you to join me for a little glimpse into my painting process. It is not a complete step-by-step demonstration, but you can watch how I work on individual petals, slowly adding color, form and depth.

Sometimes the most beautiful part of painting a flower is simply taking the time to observe all the subtle colors that are already there.

Christmas Gift? – A Little Early for Christmas?

Already thinking about a Christmas gift? I know – summer is not quite over yet, and somehow the first Christmas treats and decorations are already appearing in the shops. It always feels a little too early. And yet, when it comes to finding a truly personal Christmas gift, perhaps starting early is not such a bad idea after all.

I have always loved gifts that feel as though they were chosen for one particular person. Not simply something bought because a present was needed, but something that says: I saw this and thought of you.

That is one of the reasons I created my Little Floral Poems – small original watercolor paintings, each one painted individually by hand. Roses, tulips, daisies, poppies and little pieces of nature become tiny works of art that can find their own special place in a home.

And perhaps that is what makes an original painting such a lovely christmas gift. There is only one. The brushstrokes, the transparent watercolor washes, the tiny irregularities and unexpected mixtures of color belong to that one painting alone. No second piece will ever be exactly the same.

A Christmas Gift – or Simply a Little Thank You

Of course, a small original painting does not need Christmas as a reason. It can be a birthday gift, a little thank you for someone who is always there when you need them, a gift for a mother or grandmother, a dear friend – or simply something beautiful you choose for yourself.

Sometimes the smallest gifts are the ones that feel the most personal. And I love the thought that one of my little paintings might be given to someone who will unwrap it, find a place for it in their home and enjoy it for many years.