Impressionist Floral Studies in Acrylics

Creating a pencil sketch of the flowers with extending some of the petals over the picture plane. Following with the basic colour application to the flower and the background. No need for small brushes. Aside of the soft bristle brushes, palette knives can be of an asset as well. 

The petals need to vary in colours and tones. Emphasis should be placed on establishing the depth by bringing darker tones towards the flower's centre while adding white and light pink colours to the petals' tips. The direction of brush strokes should follow direction of the petals.

Time to enrich some of the colours included in the petals and background. Especially the use of rich Alizarin Crimson and  Quinacridone Red will help to achieve better depth in each of the flower's petals.   

Time to focus on details to create a stronger illusion of 3D. The flower's centre is of special importance since it stands out in terms of its colours and shape.

It is always important to have the last view of a completed artwork to objectively decide if it can be left the way it is or if a couple more paint strokes need to be added. To gain this objective view, it is better to not directly view the artwork but rather take a photo of it and then, based on the image, make the last decisions. At this stage, only minor, if any,  changes should be introduced. 

Create a pencil sketch following the reference image.

Re-draw all pencil lines with regular Sharpie markers in blue (flowers, vase and table edge line ) and green (leaves and stems). This will be very useful to trace "lost" sketch lines while applying heavy layers of paint.

Before applying the actual colours seen in the reference image, cover the surface surrounding the vase and flowers with a wash of: 1.) Yellow Ochre/Oxide Yellow (table surface), and 2.) Any pink or very diluted Alizarin Crimson (background). Once the two primers are dry, apply generously white paint (Titanium White) to the background and the vase while trying not to cover leaves or flowers. Continue with application of heavy layers of green paint (Phallo Green mixed with Titanium White and a touch of the Phallo Blue) to the table surface.   

Apply heavy layers of green paint (Phallo Green and Titanium White) inside of the leaves' outlines. To break the colour monotony, add some yellow mixed with green to some sections of the leaves. You can also add a touch of Burnt Sienna or English Red/Oxide Red to your leaves.