Learn how to draw beautiful peonies ! These look great

fused into typical mehndi designs and will give your work a

modern feel.

Three Step Process

1. Break the flower down into simple shapes.

2. Refine the shapes, add petal details, like where they over-

lap. Thicken the stem.

3. Refine even more, adding more detail like veining, shading

and textures in the flower, petals, leaves and stem.

The Peony:

There are several typical types of peonies. Single, semi-double and

double. Single has 1-3 layers of petals that are large and flat. Pistol

and stamens are exposed.

Peonies

By Victoria Welch

Semi-Double Peony—Large and close fitting petals in 4-6 slightly

overlapping layers. Both stamens and pistils are exposed.

Tattoo Style Peonies

Our main takeaway is that we have some artistic freedom in creat-

ing an illustration of a realistic floral. We have space to play with

textures, shading and leaf shapes. We can exaggerate or simplify.

Basic Shapes:

base shape is a sphere with a circular opening. All the petals should

point towards that opening. Draw the first layer of petals as a cup,

following the sphere shape. Continue to add petals from the inside

out. Petals begin to open as layers are added. Space between the

petals begins to widen.

Artist Tip: Sketch lightly with the henna cone or a white or orange

gel pen to get the overall shapes right. Then start with the thinnest

lines in henna, building up until the boldest lines are laid down. They

should go in last for the cleanest result

How to accent a modern illustrative floral

Use geometric shapes that contrast with the flowers. A triangle,

diamond and hexagon are all popular ways to frame.

Add jewelry style chains, beads, and drippy bits

Add berries and ball shapes

Fuse the illustrative florals with typical henna motifs and designs.

Other popular flowers that are perfect for illustration

• Hibiscus

• Daisy

• Plumeria

• Wild Roses

• Cherry Blossoms (or any fruit blossom)

• Lily of the Valley

• Lilac

• Cone Flower/Echinacea

• Buttercup

• Violets

• Tulips

• Daffodils

• Wild Geranium

Tip: snap pictures of flowers and leaves and sketch them. Translate

into henna later.

Please reach out with any questions.

www.blurberrybuzz.com

@blurberrybuzz @blurberrybuzzbodyart