Drawn to the wonderful early evening light in this scene, I did a quick study. Back in the studio, however, I struggled to capture the amazing glow I had witnessed firsthand. I realized that I needed stronger contrast between the dark and the light. Once I embraced the dark and punched up the intensity of the orange, I achieved my goal.
By Karen Margulis
Early in my painting journey, I steered clear of wildflowers. I worried they’d make my landscapes too sweet, too precious. But the muse persisted, and eventually I gave in — embracing the wild tangle of grasses and flowers that had long captured my imagination.
Wildflowers are tough and tenacious. They bloom in unlikely places, often unnoticed. I want others to see the beauty I see — even in a humble patch of weeds.
Used well, wildflowers and grasses add spice and intrigue to a scene. But like too much seasoning in a recipe, overdoing it can throw the whole composition off. I’ve learned to suggest just enough — a few well-placed forms — and let the viewer’s eye do the rest. That way, the landscape stays expressive and alive, not cluttered or overworked.
Pastels are the perfect medium for this kind of expressive work. Their vibrancy, versatility, and immediacy make them ideal for plein air. Whether I need bold marks or fine lines, soft haze or sharp edges, my pastel sticks are up to the task. I start with simple shapes, build up rich layers, and save the flowers for the final flourish — the icing on the cake.
7 Tips for Painting Wildflowers and Grasses
- Large areas of grass need orchestration to keep them from looking flat and boring. It’s important to use contrast and implied pathways to lead the viewer with interesting visual connections.
- Start with the dirt — the underlying dark shapes. Painting over these darks will prevent the grasses and flowers from floating.
- Suggest a few details and let the viewer fill in the rest. There’s no need to paint every flower and blade of grass.
- Every mark needs a purpose. Plan where you will place your wildflowers and grasses to lead the viewer through the painting.
- Think of wildflowers in fields as a mass of one shape, not a collection of dots. Create patterns of color. Paint a few detailed flowers within the mass and at the edges.
- Know your wildflowers. What are their shapes, sizes, and colors? Make marks that will suggest the type of flower you’re painting.
- You have artistic license to rearrange flowers to make stronger compositions.
Wildflowers often grow in areas that are less than beautiful, thus requiring good editing. These examples were growing near a dumpster. I eliminated the clutter and used elements of the surrounding landscape to showcase them in the manner they deserved.
NOTE: Few pastel artists understand the reasons why they’re still struggling to create successful pastel paintings. But don’t worry, in Karen Margulis’s art workshop, “Expressive Pastel Painting.” you’ll discover insights that could solve your frustrations for good, including a simple-to-follow method to help you produce attention-grabbing pastel paintings consistently.
