Last sketch of 2025
Posted: December 31, 2025 Filed under: Uncategorized 29 CommentsAfter a really fun and very restful week with my family, I was happily back in my studio today, reunited with my palette and brushes. My subject was my Schlumbergera, commonly known as the Christmas cactus. I’ve been watching these flowers develop and burst open for many days, and it’s been on my mind to sketch them all week.
The painting that I am posting is the second version from today. The first one began with a pencil drawing, but a tight drawing could not properly express the explosion of pink that I had in front of me, and I never even made it to the paint stage. I set that sheet aside, picked up a sword liner brush and a new sheet of paper and drew directly with my brush. I started by painting the outlines of the blooms and then filled the spaces between them with outlines of the stem segments. When the outlines were mostly dry, I filled in the flowers and stems. For the flowers I used the pinkest pigments I have on my palette: Quinacridone Rose and Quinacridone Coral with a bit of Carmine for the darks.
I hope you are working on your last sketch of the year today too. For some of you it may already be 2026! Whatever page of the calendar you are on, I wish you a very creative and very joyful new year!
Hi Shari
My mother-in-law has the same plant and every year at this time, I look forward to its offering. Your plant has the most flowers I have ever seen – obviously a very happy one 🙂
Thanks for all the beautiful pink today and Happy New Year to you too!
Thanks so much Chris. I fertilized this plant just before the flowers came out. I guess that’s why it’s so happy. I hope you had a good new year too. All the best for 2026!
Beautiful painting, the pinks are perfect! I’d have better luck painting this plant than growing one. Glad you had quality time with family (and your paintbrush!). Wishing you all the best in the new year.
And I wish you and all your family the best too, Denise!!
Hope in 2026 Shari! Like minds! My holiday card this year was a sketch of a Christmas cactus. I just did my last sketch today at my local coffee shop and gave it to my server – she’s leaving her job for other pursuits. Life happens! Linda Webster
PS: my hairdresser likes my sketching technique and wants to start instructions; I referred her to your site for a great place to learn! Sara D is her name.
Linda, I really appreciate the referral! Thanks so much and happy new year!! And I bet that coffee shop server was so happy to receive your sketch. What gift could be better than that?
This is beautiful! Happy New Year, Shari!
And to you too Lois!
Oh! It’s so beautiful!!! Happy New Year.
And to you too Stephanie.
What a terrific joyful burst of color to launch us into a new year! Thank you for sharing!
And thank you for having a look. Happiest new year Susan.
Happy new year Shari. Lovely painting! I’ve just done my first sketch of 2025 at the airport on the way to a holiday!
I hope you have a wonderful holiday! Happy New Year!
Thank you!
Lovely, lovely, lovely! I appreciate your descriptive notes telling us how you began. I will keep your “instructions” in my thoughts when I begin my floral painting.
Thank you for your kindness.
Happy New Year, God bless you and yours.❤️b
Many thanks Bernadette. I hope the start of 2026 is good for you.
I love the way you have captured the joy of this beautiful cactus! Have a very blessedNew Year!
And all the best to you too Gerry!
Beautiful sketch! happy New Year!
And the same good wishes for you too, Carolina.
Thank you Shari ! Je vous souhaite, dans ma langue, une très bonne année 2026 à vous et à vos proches !
Merci beaucoup Thierry!!
Your painting is an inspiration. Thank you for sharing them and Happy New Year from snowy Cape Cod.
Happy New Year from a snowy Montreal!
Beautiful Shari! Happy New Year!
All the best to you too Ginie!
Good Morning, dear friend Shari.
Your paintings are always beautiful.
Happy New Year!
All the best and good luck.
Have a pleasant day always.
Blessings🙏
Your dear friend
Uma
All the best for the new year to you too, Uma.