Flower Drawings | Inktober 2021 Roundup

Inktober. The season of fall where illustrators everywhere loose sleep and work their creative juices to the bone in order to fulfill the 31 day prompt list that comes out every Octobor. I have participated minimally in this challenge, but over the past few years I have taken more ownership of the challenge and sezed the opportunity to create artwork that I love and really grow during the month (previous years: 2018, 2019, 2020).

This year I brought back #Gardentober as a solo host and was fortunate enough to connect with and collaborate with other creatives all month long! As usual, it was a great opportunity for growth, inspiration and some challenges! I love flower drawing, so dedicating the month to drawing flowers that I don’t normally have a chance to “play” with is always a treat.

This year I decided to sell some of the originals on handmade paper as well as offer a few limited edition prints!

Here’s a few of the illustrations that I created for the challenge:

Wild (left):

This one didn’t turn out QUITE as strong as I had hoped, but I am super excited to have it on paper at last! This idea has been jumping around in my head for a while so having it finally on paper is a treat. I will probably re-create it some day but I do adore how those leaves came out!

Luna Moth (center):

I had to include a few watercolor pieces in this inktober challenge! Gardentober just wasn't complete without an insect and this luna moth was the perfect specimen. Soft, a little mysterious and the first official moth that I have painted. The delicate blue-green color is both iconic and unique. You can find the full tutorial to create this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usIkggPAezE

Orchids (right):

Orchids were included in this year's inktober / Gardentober prompt and I got a little carried away with this ink botanical flower drawing and created a pair! I love how they dance and sway in their own way but come together as the perfect pair.

You can watch me draw one of these orchids here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HS_6w1pVTU&t=435s

Gardenias (left):

I've been drawing birds and flowers together all year! This inked gardenia stem and bud paired with the finch is one of my favorites! Drawn digitally on the iPad, I love the crisp finish and the way the leaves move around the gardenias and seem to hold the finch in an embrace

Hummingbird and Azaleas (center):

Another watercolor, I love how this hummingbird and azalea piece came together! The framing of the flowers around the hummingbird and the color palette that shows off the ruby throated humming bird’s namesake without distracting from the rest of the composition. This piece took me a long time but it was worth it!

Tutorial for the watercolor Hummingbird here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w90nlJFobdo

Irises (right):

I’ve had irises on the mind (despite the weather turning cold) because of my own growing collection of irises! The way they sway gently in the breeze, their regal attention and their bright colors make them a constant fascination! These inked irises are the perfect compliment to this handmade paper by Fabulous Fancy Pants and I am in love with how this botanical drawing turned out!

Hello, World!

Garden Roses and Rose Hips (Left):

Is it even a challenge by me without a rose or two? No, it doesn’t exist! I cheated this time and the prompt was officially “rose hips”. I love the contrast between the loose, delicate blooms and the structured and strong shape of the rose hips. They make such a beautiful pair when illustrated together and this handmade paper piece is one of my favorites from the challenge this year!

Oriole Birds and Roses (center):

This watercolor piece was created in honor of my Grandfather who died this past year. I finally finished it around the start of Gardentober, so I included it for one of the prompts. There’s a lot of symbolism hidden in this piece, but my Papa loved Oriole birds and their golden feathers as well as red roses. His funeral was covered with red roses and we loved it!

Tutorial for the male Oriole here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwL7ZjwlqgM&t=259s

Violets (Right):

Saving the best for last? While there were several other pieces created for inktober’s Gardentober this year, I think this one was my personal favorite. While I’m normally drawn towards roses and large floppy petals, there is something about this violet flower drawing that I just love! It’s also my best selling print so far, so it’s hard not to like it even if only for that reason ;)