After noticing how this lovely flower uplifted my mood, I began to also want an orchid to draw in my workstations too.
These flowers used to be expensive; in the ’80s you could spend $50 for one. Now you can get them at the big box hardware stores for $14 or so. $10 if they’re on clearance. Get one if you can and let it inspire you to draw it before the blooms are spent.
Just Having an Orchid to Draw is an Inspiration
This colored pencil drawing was inspired by an orchid in my boss’ office at Blue Care Network. The grounds were beautifully well kept; at lunch I would bring my art gear and draw. Even when I didn’t draw, the scenes inspired me to plan to bring my sketchbook. Orchids are some of the best flowering plants; any plant that has recurring flowers is alright with me.
If you get one for yourself, give it a humidity tray. Keep this tray cleaned and filled with water. Mist it regularly and give it ice cubes every few days. If you do this, you will have the blooms for a couple of weeks (maybe a few) to draw and make the flowers last decades in your sketchbook.
Plants are Sometimes Easy to Draw
Potted plants can be easy to draw. They sit still without moving. The ones that grow slowly are the best for long studies. You can come back to the drawing later and pick up where you left off (supposing you don’t take a year or more to come back to it). Since blooms die, the time limit is more restrictive and so more challenging. You have time and yet time is still of the essence because the blooms will fade in a few days or maybe a few weeks. If you know you can’t finish in a few days, reference photos can help.
The blooms do return, so don’t throw it away. Just keep giving it ice cubes and saying nice things to it. Since these plants generally come with long stakes that support the branch with the blooms, to get the composition right, use a light blue pencil to rough in the drawing without committing to your lines.
When Time is Short the Best Method is Contour Drawing
Contour drawing is key to finishing quickly. This method gets you swiftly to the end of the drawing and creates a very expressive line. It looks great no matter how lopsided it turns out.
The line drawing above was simple and easy to see the lines and shapes. I did not take a photo for reference. It may have been better if the composition of the above orchid drawing included the pot. Then again getting a good composition with the pot in has been an additional challenge as you can see in this drawing below.
My Favorite Flowering Plant is the Orchid
Having an orchid to draw is inspiring. There are several all around the house and they take turns blooming. Even before it blooms, I am excited to draw the buds. Do you have a favorite plant? Please share the name of your favorite in the comments!
I’ve always loved pansies. Back in the day, my mom would meet up with my dad at lunchtime, and we would wait outside the office building next to a planter filled with pansies. I was small, so the flowers were eye level to me. It always seemed to me that they were smiling at me.
Pansies do look like they are smiling. This may give me an idea for a drawing.
Thank you!!! What a nice name you have 🙂 And you have good taste too. 🙂
I love this Rebecca!
I like your work, you have a steady hand.
Thank you so much. I want to see more of YOUR work; I wonder if we have similar styles.