Try one or both of these creativity challenges to explore the potential of floral subjects.
By Marla Baggetta
Happy moments in my garden remind me why I fell in love with painting in the first place. There’s something magical about capturing the way the light plays through a flower’s petals or how a single stem can tell a story of grace and renewal. Every flower offers countless possibilities for exploration on canvas or paper—from bold splashes of color to the most subtle value shifts. Add to this the sparkle and sheen of a favorite vase or container, and I can’t wait to get to the easel.
When painting flowers, I love working small and loose, because it keeps things fresh and spontaneous. Both of these small-study exercises are designed to help you explore different ways to approach floral painting. The goal isn’t perfection; instead, I hope you give yourself permission to play and simply stop and smell the roses!
I used pastel to create my small-study florals, but you can use any medium and any tools you want. So, pick a few blooms from the garden, grab your supplies, and let your creativity blossom!
Exercise 2: Background Magic
A background can make or break a painting, and this exercise is all about exploring this critical element. The idea is top create four floral paintings, each made with a different background approach.
1
Start simple with a plain, neutral background such as gray, beige or soft white, as seen in Single Pink Rose.
2
Go bold with a vibrant background that contrasts with your blooms. See Spring Array.
3
Add a pattern or texture, like stripes, dots or even a suggestion of a scene. See, for example, my Mixed Garden Bouquet.
4
Try a background inspired by a favorite artist’s style, such as Claude Monet’s soft, dreamy tones, which I riffed on for White Peonies.
You’ll be amazed at how much a background can change the overall feel of your painting. Which one feels most “you”?
Exercise 2: A New Angle
Perspective changes everything. For this challenge, paint four floral bouquets, each time exploring a new angle or crop.
1
Try straight on, at eye level, as seen in White Roses in Red Ball Jar.
2
Try a vantage point from above, looking down on the bouquet. See After Redon.
3
Another option is viewing from the side, focusing on the vase and the height of the arrangement, as I did for Garden Mix in Blue Vase.
4
And, then, try a perspective from slightly below, giving the flowers a more dramatic feel. See Peonies in Green Vase.
This exercise illustrates how point of view can dramatically change your perception and feelings about your subject.
About the Artist
Marla Baggetta has been a professional artist and instructor for more than 30 years. She works in a variety of media, but is best known for her expressive pastels. Baggetta has conducted workshops across the globe, sharing her passion for color and light. Her popular online learning platform, PaintingLessonsWithMarla.com, reaches artists worldwide with comprehensive courses and tutorials. She’s a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and a Master Circle artist with the International Association of Pastel Societies.
