I am constantly inspired by my garden flowers because their shapes and colors provide endless designs and spread cheerfulness. I always begin sketching these flowers from life, and add detailed notes that help when I begin painting them. When drawing from life, there are more details to notice, as opposed to working from a flat photograph. Occasionally I do work with reference photos, but my sketches are lively and full of information I need to begin painting them. I mixed the purple-violet colors with French Ultramarine Blue and Pyrrole Red and some Indigo. The main focus is the blooms, so I kept the leaves understated.