Half-sheet florals
Posted: September 3, 2025 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: bouquet, flower painting, sunflowers, watercolour flowers 28 CommentsDuring this summer’s hottest days, I worked on some large florals in my studio. Both of these bouquets come from Ferme Tournesol where I pick up my CSA baskets every week. If you are a subscriber to the basket program, you have the added bonus of being able to cut flowers from their large cutting garden.
The first bouquet I picked was mostly smaller flowers like zinnias and rudbeckias with some tiny stuff mixed in. Instead of painting this in my sketchbook, I took out a half sheet (22″ x 15″) of Arches CP 140 lb paper so that I could really have some room to draw all the details of the flowers. This one took most of a day, but we had our computer tech here installing software updates that day and I couldn’t work in my office anyway. It seemed like a real luxury to spend a full day on a painting.
This week I worked on another half-sheet one of some sunflowers I picked at the farm last Thursday. I did the drawing one day and two days later when I went back to paint it, the flowers had shrivelled considerably. I also noticed an unwanted guest. A large green caterpillar was chewing its way through the leaf on the far right of the painting. That was my incentive to finish this quickly.
Montreal workshops coming!
I’m excited to announce that I’ve finally found a bright and beautiful studio, located in Hudson, Quebec, where I can give watercolour workshops closer to home. So if you live nearby and want to be notified when there’s an opportunity to learn and paint with me, please fill in this form. Also note that these are one-day studio workshops and intended for people who live within driving distance of Montreal.
I have to move… Great you found a studio, next step is a full week workshop in your area 😬
That is the intention, Bunny. Working on that plan.
I came here to say that these bouquets paintings look absolutely stunning and now came across this fantastic suggestion from Bunny 😉 that does sound nice! I always wanted to visit Montreal…
Chloe, you and Bunny, and your growing family, are welcome here anytime!!
I could take the train the day before and stay in an AirBB. It would be nice to do it, maybe with Elizabeth.
Evelyn
There is a place to stay right across the street. It’s a beautiful town with lots of amenenities. So yes, you could do that.
Congratulations Shari, I’m on your email list and have a few tutorials,I really like your style of painting. Enjoy and Good luck, Andrea Ridolfo
Thanks so much Andrea!
Love them both, but for some reason particularly the sunflowers which I think are the push I need to finally put some washes on my first ever flower arrangement sketch! Good news re the studio … lovely though it is to travel, home’s nice too!
Tony, I’m glad I gave you a little nudge to paint the flowers. As for finding a studio space, it will sure be nice to be close to home after a spring and summer packed with travel. Hope all is well.
Of course I LOVE your bouquets! 🙂
But what caught my eye is how you downplay the vase. Brilliant! I often feel that I like my bouquet sketches less once I paint in the vase because the vase often distracts from the flowers. In yours, the flowers are the one and only focus. Love it!
Love the bouquet paintings, but very excited (for you) about the new studio! I never know where Alan’s adventures will take me, but another reason to finally visit Montreal is definitely appealing. Best of luck!
Hi Shari great paintings of wild flowers how do you avoid one colour not interfering with others around it?
Thanks very much
Still too far for me… 😔
Florals area So beautiful!!! As is everything you do.
Thank you also for sharing your traveling experiences through your art with us.
Very much appreciated, Donna Ramirez
Your bouquets are always delightful. I pick up fresh bouquets from our local farmer’s market and they do inspire. Workshops in Quebec! Count me in! How do you manage to get so much colour in and balance the lights, darks, shadows! It’s my biggest challenge!
Those flowers are just beautiful. They feel so fresh and alive!
Ginie, thank you so much!
Shari, these are stunning paintings!
Poppy, it’s so great to hear from you! Thank you! I’m really enjoying this series!
Absolutely beautiful. Both of them. Well worth the time spent – thx a bunch! 😉
Shari, your bouquets are stimulating and inspiring! So happy you shared them with us. Thank you!
These are amazing
Both bouquets are exquisite! I find that I am drawn to the sunflowers….in a very limited pallet with lots of various greens, you did a magnificent job! I love them both❤️❤️
Wish I lived in Montreal to attend your workshops! Looking forward to more information ! Love your work!
GREAT bouquets!
I love the detail in these as well as the missing vases. Time spent shows here. These are lovely. And the idea of local workshops is even better! I hope all works out well in this endeavor.
Lovely sunflowers. Thanks for sharing