Fearless Friday, Abstract Zinnias with markers
Let’s have some fun with zinnias today!
Zinnias are such fun and colorful flowers~
I collected some images from Pinterest and from Pam’s beautiful garden
I loved the painting style by Ali Kay on the top left in the above collage
and decided to do my zinnias with a similar abstract style
and use markers to color them…
First a pencil sketch,
adding elements from the flowers in the collage photos
Afraid that the pencil could show through
some of the lighter marker shades,
I lightly erased section by section, leaving a slight visual of the shapes,
and inked over where the pencil lines were with colored liner pens,
using colors close to what the areas would be
After each section was erased,
I used colored fine liner pens to outline the faint flower drawings
I selected the marker colors I wanted to use
and lined them up on the table
I made a line of each color on the edge of my sketch book,
in the order the markers were laid out, for easy reference
I did add more markers during the coloring process as needed
and at the end, the table looked quite different!
I began by coloring the stems in 3 shades of green
I knew I wanted to use shades of blue for the background
and added some pale blue shapes at this point
When coloring,
I always start with the areas I know what colors I want to use
and then decide on the other colors as I go
Next came the yellows
Pinks
Deeper pinks
Reds
Deep Reds
Adding darker blue to the background areas
Filling in the background
“Abstract Zinnias,” “4 x 6” alcohol markers and ink on mixed media paper
I enjoy playing with markers, they’re not messy like paint,
and I can sit in my favorite spot
and get lost in a movie while I’m creating
You can read more about my tiered art tray
and how I organized it here
I highly recommend this set of Caliart Dual Tip alcohol markers,
it has 121 colors and comes in a handy carrying case~
it is a great value, currently $41.99,
about $.35 a marker compared to pricier Copic
which are $4-$5 each!
I am not an affiliate, just sharing what I like
I hope you’ll try painting with markers, it’s a lot of fun!
Be Fearless!
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Sundays on Silverado/ Love Your Creativity
What’s for Dinner/ Between Naps on the Porch
All About Home/ Common Ground & Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Oh My Heartsie Girl / Turn About Tuesday
Karin’s Cottage Linky Party / Creative Crafts / Crafty Creators
Full Plate Thursday/ Creatively Crafty/ Thursday Favorite Things
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Good morning, Jenna. I love the abstract zinnias, you always amaze me with your talent. Thank you for the shout-out! Zinnias are a favorite of mine and they are great cut flowers and fun subjects to paint. Wishing you a beautiful weekend!
Thank you Pam, I love when you post photos of your beautiful zinnias!
I always love the bright beautiful colours of zinnias..they simply brighten up my day.
They are such fun flowers!
Your artwork of the bright and cheery zinnias reminds me of the zinnias grown in my neighbor’s garden – lovely!
Thank you, such bright and happy flowers!
The technique worked very well for you and the bright colors really pop. Love your storage display!
Thank you Jeanie, I do enjoy playing with markers~
Thanks for listing the maker of the markers. I figured they weren’t Crayola (which are great for kids). 😉 I love your zinnias.
Thank you Linda 🌼
Your zinnias are as lovely as the real thing!
Thank you Linda! Happy weekend!
Beautiful abstract of your zinnias. Love your step-by-step process that you shared.
Thank you so much Judy, so nice of you!
Jenna, another beautiful piece! I so admire your talent! I also admire that you are constantly trying new things and that you share your process. I find it very interesting! I’m not an artist, but I like to see the process. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much sweet Sarah! I am currently crushing on zinnias, I need to plant some next summer, such a fun and happy flower 🌼
Beautiful Jenna! I’ve never heard of alcohol markers so that was new to me. You have such talent and its always fascinating to watch how it all unfolds. Hope you plant zinnias next summer – I’m sure it will add to your creative fodder. Take care down there and have a lovely week!
Thanks so much Kim, yes I am definitely going to plant some zinnias next summer, I just love their bright colors!
Your zinnias are so colorful and cheery Jenna! ♥
Thank you Mary, every time I see Pam’s zinnias I wish I had a garden full!
Such beautiful colors and so much fun watching your process for creating your beautiful art.
Thank you!
This turned out so beautifully! I love the colors! Smiles, Linda at Paper Seedlings
Thanks so much Linda!