Summer brings with it an explosion of colour and liveliness into the garden. As a Botanical Artist, I cherish this season for the endless opportunities presented to find new inspiration for my artwork. In our first blog for the week, I’ll share some of my favourite summer plants that I have used an inspiration over the years. Feel free to get in the artistic mood and find your next subject!

What Makes a Great Summer Plant?

All artists share different likes (and even dislikes) when it comes to choosing a plant to paint. You can usually judge this by the most common subjects within an artist’s portfolio. It’s simply a unique set of preferences for each person.

I find the small details and unusual shapes to be inspiring when I choose a subject in summer. With everything in bloom, you can use your senses to guide you. Interesting smells and textures are stronger than ever in this season.

My Favourite Plants to Paint

Dahlias (Dahlia pinnata)

Any garden would benefit from the beauty of dahlias. There is a wide variety of colours to choose from. I have created multiple types over the years.  Dahlias are also Mexico’s national flower. They can be tricky for beginners due to their tiny details and intense amount of ray florets, but worth it once complete.

Sunflowers (Helianthus annus)

Beyond their beauty, sunflowers provide food and are associated with positivity, which isn’t a surprise given their sunny appearance! I enjoy their appearance so much and won an award when entering them into a competition recently. Sunflowers present a unique artistic challenge, as yellow hues can be the trickiest to work with.

Roses (Rosa)

Roses are quintessentially British as the nation’s flower. They are relatively easy to grow and provide true beauty in the garden. I have many varieties of David Austin roses growing currently. Just be aware that they require lots feeding to maintain their many beautiful flowers.

Irises (Iris germanica)

Irises commemorate a special milestone in marriage, as the traditional gift for a 25^th anniversary. They tend to bloom sooner in the summer season, which provides early inspiration for art. This piece captures their buds before the true beauty appears in bloom.

Foxgloves (Digitalis)

Foxgloves have been the focal point for many folklore stories throughout history, capturing the interest of legendary tales. They are excellent for pollinators too. They make interesting drawing subjects due to their interesting bell shaped flowers. This can make them challenging, but once complete they are just beautiful.

Summer Challenges

It isn’t always easy to capture the beauty of plants in summer. The heat and unpredictability of nature can wilt flowers earlier than we thought. As a Botanical Artist, working from reference is crucial to accurately painting plants.

If you have gardening trouble, find inspiration from other sources of nature. Local garden centres and botanical attractions are great places to look.

Now it’s Your Turn!

Before summer comes to an end, find your own summer plants to paint!

Want to see more?

Check out my Instagram page to see more of my completed work, time-lapses and be the first to see my new projects.