In our subtropical climate, most flowers grow better in the fall
than during our oppressively hot summer months. An example?
Petunias! I have several growing at the corners of the winter
garden, blooming abundantly next to the broccoli and shallots.
(Watch a step-by-step video of how to draw a petunia here: .)
Here’s a quick little lesson in capturing this distant relative
of the tomato, potato and tobacco… Start with a simple sketch in
pencil… Using transparent watercolor, cover the leaves, stems
and sepals with a layer of the palest color you see on these
structures. (Often this will be the yellowish color of the
midvein, the large central vein down the center of each leaf.)
Now add a layer of deeper green, being careful not to cover up
the pale veins or highlights. Put a first layer of color on the
flower itself, leaving the lightest areas uncovered for now.
Wait again for everything to dry, then paint the darker areas of
the leaves and stems. Add a deeper layer of color to the flower.
Spend some time real