Past Perfect
Had the zinnias looked any more enticing before they began to fade?
I think not. The tufts of petals and ragged edges add so much character. And while there’s plenty of praise for summer blooms, even these hangers-on continue to add cheer and attract a hummingbird or two to the garden.
Tips & Techniques– This sketch was tricky because I was working outside and biting gnats were keeping me company the entire time. It was a warm afternoon and the sun was lovely so I didn’t want to give up. I made it through sketching all but the purple bloom on the right and then painted the entire page inside. When I was thinking of “Past Perfect” for my title, I looked up the grammatical rule for using this tense and had a bit of fun coming up with a sentence to illustrate it. (Materials: watercolor and Micron 005 pen in Handbook Journal with 140lb watercolor paper)
Heads up! Check out the WORKSHOPS page– I’ve just added a new online class, Drawing the Nature of November, starting 11/6. Bigger still is an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of Portugal during Sketching the Nature of Place next June 3-8 at Sofia in Monsaraz.
Drawn In 
Well done! My Zinnias in NH are still mostly beautiful except for random Goldfinch feeding on the dead and I guess perfectly dried ones they are yanking seeds from 🙂 Hummers only go to my abundant Salvias and Rose of Sharon. Now that I paint I have sadly lost my drawing skills.
Jean,I love that not one of your zinnias stands alone. Each overlaps or embraces its neighbor. You caught the fading colors so very well. I’m in the hospital and no body is at home to cut the blooms to keep them coming. You brought me flowers. Thank you. Judy
Hi Judy— I’m so sorry to hear you are in the hospital! I wish I could bring you flowers in person and cut a few from your garden to keep them coming. I hope you are get rest and good care. Wishing you well! – Jean
So much motion captured in a “still life”. Really wonderful!
Such a colorful page! Glad you added the purple one, my favorite. All these flower sketches are inspiring me to be sure to add zinnias to next year’s garden!
Good plan! Pretty easy to grow and multiple benefits.
love the floral connection to past perfect
Beautiful summer blooms — thanks for sharing this touch of sunshine!