Answering the Call
When poppies bloom, you can’t wait. You can’t say: I’ll paint them next week, or even tomorrow. By next week, they may be gone. Tomorrow it may be raining. You have to set aside the vacuum, the groceries, the weeds that need pulling. You must go out and paint.
Tips and Techniques– If you are unsure of which colors to choose for a particular subject, do some color tests. This can be invaluable for deciding which pigments will work best before you are committed to your painting. I tested a lot of red pigments and combinations of reds and yellows before settling on the colors I used here: Pyrrol scarlet and Hansa yellow medium for the flowers, and Hansa yellow light and Prussian blue for the leaves. The centers and darks are Ultramarine and Alizarin crimson.
Drawn In 
Hi Jean, I hear that “call” every year and try to capture my poppies in my sketchbook.My attempts have mostly been failures, but I haven’t given up yet. I’ll try again this year using your color recommendations. Wish me luck!
Good luck and enjoy! I did several studies and “failed” attempts before landing on these colors and having confidence in my approach.
How lovely! How timely! I was noticing the buds on my poppy plant the other day and made a mental note: “draw immediately as soon as they come out!” Thanks for the great tips.
You have brilliantly captured the delicate yet robust character of this singular plant. Wonderful!
I enjoy drawing the buds, too. They come on so quickly– I hope you have a few days to paint yours.
GORGEOUS! Our property is wooded with a winding stream in the backyard. Deer follow the path as do many other “critters.” Poppies are like candy to the 4 footed who cross through our yard daily. I’ve only been able to grow peony. I have 5 bushes in bloom now. I will certainly do some color studies…not the same color choices but using your detailed instructions. I paint them every year.
Love, love, love your poppies!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I don’t grow too many non-native flowers, as we have deer and other critters, too. But somehow, they do not munch on my garden. Enjoy your peonies.
“…the fleeting buds of May . . .” – rose or poppy!
So true!
Love this one, Jean! This time of year there’s so many gorgeous blooms to choose from. Poppies are one of my favourites. I gather photos which I can continue using to paint from in my studio through the winter months. I paint in watercolour, acrylic or gouache. I did a gouache study of a red poppy, that in spite of the challenge with the colour shift as it dries, turned out quite well. I alway use a piece of watercolour paper to test colours and record them, so that’s a great tip that you included in your description. Thank you so much for sharing you work and your process. Peri
Thanks for your note, Peri! I’m glad your poppy study came out well. I think I’ll make a color sample to save so I remember my choices for next year.
Please see attached image of my gouache version of a poppy bloom. (Study in Strathmore watercolour sketchbook). Thank you for sharing your work!!! Peri
Hi Peri- Unfortunately, this site doesn’t allow for photos to be uploaded. Sorry not to be able to see you painting!
Very beautiful Jean. I can feel the fragility of the petals and the movement in the leaves and stems. Thank you for sharing your color palette too. The blending of color is really the magic in watercolor.
Thanks Cindy! It took me a bit of research and trial and error to get to these colors. I don’t typically need pyrrol scarlet.
Those are beautiful Jean I went out to look at mine and the first couple were so short-stemmed they were hidden behind the leaves.I checked today and they are longer. I will try again, but it seems that the drawings don’t do them justice. Maybe 3rd time will be the success! Cheers
Hope so! I abandoned my first attempt. That’s when I knew I needed more color testing….which is what led me to this. I also used Arches 140lb paper for this, I wanted a really good surface for layering and blending.
Thank you for sharing your palette, Jean. I struggle with greens. Perhaps I need to invest in a tube of Hansa yellow light. Your poppies are lovely.
I only recently started using it, Peggy. I typically like Hansa Yellow Medium or Nickel Azo Yellow for greens, but I like the cool yellows for more muted, grayish greens.
Thanks Jean, this is great advice, that I needed. Beautiful painting.
Hanna McCown Artist, Pattern and Surface Designer. hannamccown@earthlink.net 937-591-2912
Gorgeously beautiful poppies, Jean! Thanks for the tips! The combination and contrasting colors between the delicate petals and the thousands of stamens is remarkable. I love how you suggest the detail of the centerpiece. And I notice the addition of the fine white hairs on the sepals and stems! We’re they added at the end, or did you indent the paper before adding color?
Jean, these are beautiful and you’ve captured them so well. Spring is much longer drawn out process here and I am still waiting for mine to bloom. Poppies are some of my favourite flowers. The timing of your email is perfect with tips on colours to use. I’ve got my paints on standby, ready to go when the first ones open up. Hope all is well in upstate NY. We are going through a damp grey period of weather here on the west coast.
Glad this is helpful Sheila. I really enjoy watching my poppies bloom, too. There are more buds to open, but I suspect yesterday’s rain will have knocked flowers down and twisted stems– all part of it. Enjoy yours!
Really lovely rendering – your use of the paler greens to make the leaves fade into the distance is really effective – the whole collection feels bathed in spring sunshine!