The Last of the Zinnias
The leaves are mostly fallen, and November has turned cold. Still, I haven’t found time to fully put the garden to bed. I’ve left some coneflowers for the birds to pick over and the zinnias are mostly standing upright and brown. I love their curling leaves and stray petals, now dried and drooping or sticking out every which way. They gave me one last chance for a sketch before meeting the compost pile. Cold as it was, it was good to be outside, remembering summer, and savoring this last moment in the garden.
Tips and Techniques– I used a Micron 005 sepia pen for this sketch in my Handbook Journal. I managed to draw some of these outside before my hands got too cold and it started raining, so I brought a few inside to finish. I decided not to add paint—the lines seemed like enough to convey what’s left of the flowers and the chill of the day. Take another (or a final) look at the flowers in your own garden and see if some of the shapes or curling leaves might inspire you, too.
Drawn In 
Love that you didn’t add color to this. Beautiful in its simplicity, and has “November” written all over it.
I took so many photos of the beauties I grew I will have to try to sketch one. I left mine up in the garden for all the birds, then when they moved on I collected what was left, to keep in a paper bag for next years gardens.
Hope you enjoy doing some sketching. I find it easier to work from the real thing because of all the twists and turns of the leaves…but maybe your photos are better than mine!
Not sure I took many of them during the process of dying and curling up lol I will see though for sure 🙂
Never underestimate the drawing potential of dead plants!
Thank you I no longer have your skills I am so rusty 🙂
I love this in the sepia!
Thanks Susanne! I like it for this type of fall subject.
thank you Jean too late here at my garden. However, as I go outside, I will look and see.
I have been using black I might try the sepia.
Holly
I used to always use black, but I like the look of a sepia drawing, so now use that for many of my sketches.
Love the sepia ink treatment, and the geometry of the stems. I was also tickled by your little weather report, lettered in at the bottom!
I’m glad I recorded that information. It puts the sketch in context.
Always lovely ink work…that you managed to draw outside in 42 degrees even for a little while is impressive!
Well worn Fall leaves and flowers are so fun; so crispy; so full of character! Beautifully done, Jean, especially in sepia. Your line work is always stunning. Thanks so much for sharing!
The ink colour is perfect for these beauties.
Love the sepia. Each leaf seems
To have its own personality 🙂