Live Lessons: "Peony Flower" - Colored Pencils

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This lesson series features:
10 Hours of Instruction
10 Videos

Lessons

Lesson 1: (1:07:17) Lesson 2: (1:15:50) Lesson 3: (1:08:44) Lesson 4: (1:23:28) Lesson 5: (1:07:46) Lesson 6: (1:14:48) Lesson 7: (1:12:11) Lesson 8: (1:13:19) Lesson 9: (59:53) Lesson 10: (1:10:47)

About This Lesson Series...

In this lesson series, we create a drawing of a peony flower with colored pencils on Stonehenge paper.

Lesson 1 (1:21:18)

In lesson one, we draw the contours of the flower with 2H graphite.

Lesson 2 (1:15:50)

In lesson two, we begin with colored pencil applications on the largest flower petal.

Lesson 3 (1:08:44)

In lesson three, we continue work on the flower petals.

Lesson 4 (1:23:28)

Work on the petals continues.

Lesson 5 (1:07:46)

In lesson five, we begin developing the leaves in the background.

Lesson 6 (1:14:48)

In lesson six, we address the center of the flower and continue working on the surrounding leaves.

Lesson 7 (1:12:11)

In lesson seven, we continue with the surrounding leaves.

Lesson 8 (1:13:19)

In lesson eight, we return to work on the lower flower petals.

Lesson 9 (59:53)

In lesson nine, we complete the flower petals at the bottom of the picture plane.

Lesson 10 (1:10:47)

In lesson ten, we complete the drawing.

Resources for this Lesson...

Distributing any content downloaded from this site is strictly prohibited and against the terms and conditions of use.

References

Photo Reference

Finished Result

Here's what you'll need...

(Disclosure: Links to art materials are affiliate links which means we make a small commission if you purchase at no additional cost to you.)

Lesson Discussion

  1. Thanks for all the info on grids. Also, it’s great to see Ashley along with you. Together, you add some “color” and fun to the lesson!

  2. trying to decide between FABER Castel and Prismcolor. I have a Prismcolor premier 36set and a watercolor set 36 . Can you talk about difference in sets and would using both combined for this project work. thanks ,tom
    .

  5. Matt, I had to miss the last two lessons due to family commitments. I am trying to catch up by viewing the recorded lessons. Lesson 6 is not working for me. It keeps stopping and not reloading. I was wondering is it my feed or is there a problem with lesson 6? I’ve enjoyed so much your lessons. I’ve learned a tremendous amount of information about art from you.
    Thank you
    Sandy Cain

  7. I am enjoying following along with these recorded lessons, and learning so much. I am excited that getting sketchy is back to, I ll catch up with that one tomorrow

  9. Hi Matt,
    Love being your student as you share an enormous amount of experience explained perfectly for a beginner! Can students access resources photos, as well as an exact list of the materials you use for each lesson? If so, I’ve been unable to find where. If not, could that information be provided prior to the lessons? Lack of that info causes me to be stuck during lessons. Appreciate your time, lesson plans and the media range covered!
    Laura F.

    • Hi Laura,

      There is a tab labeled “Resources” under the video. There you can find the photo references. Since this lesson series is still ongoing, I haven’t listed the exact colors. I actually don’t like doing this. Although I do call out the colors used in the lesson, I’d rather you try to match the colors. You learn more about color mixing this way and become more independent as an artist.

  10. I love you guys, and appreciate your humor. It takes away any stress I feel about doing a drawing. I do have a question about your beautiful photo reference. If I were to make a stellar drawing from your lesson, can I sell it? Could I use it on the cover of a book that might sell a bunch of copies? Is it only for use in teaching and lessons ? I don’t want to get in any trouble for violating somebody’s copyright.

  11. I just saw something I had overlooked on this page:

    Distributing any content downloaded from this site is strictly prohibited and against the terms and conditions of use.

    I think maybe my question is answered. Right?

    Except you have teaching plans and the instructor would probably distribute copies of something from the lessons. So I still don’t know

  14. Hi! I am excited to tackle this project, but have a question first. I have several brands of drawing pads, but not Stonehenge. I already own Canson and Strathmore Drawing paper pads; would either of those be decent substitutes or do you strongly recommend Stonehenge? My reason for asking is that I’d have to order the Stonehenge paper and wait several days, since it’s not available where I live.

  15. Is it possible to get a list of the color pencils used? Or is that information right under my nose and I’m missing it. I got the paper you said to get.
    Thanks
    Jill

    • Hi Jill,

      I do call out the colors as they are added, however I am hesitant to list colors used since other folks may use different brands of colored pencils to arrive at a similar result. I think it’s a good idea to get in the habit of matching your colors as best as you can. This way you can better make these decisions when you are creating your own art.

  16. Matt, whenever you talk about your crazy experiences, I am forcefully reminded of the Disney show “Milo Murphy’s Law.” The main character is a descendent of the guy who discovered Murphy’s Law (anything that can go wrong, WILL go wrong), and it always goes into effect when he’s around; the show follows his crazy misadventures (he is very resourceful, though). So, whenever you regale us with a crazy story, I think “Maybe he’s a Murphy!”😂

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