The painting started with a surprise in my garden: a very unusual zinnia. This zinnia was not typical red, orange, or yellow. It was pale beige with a soft shimmer of yellow and pink. I couldn’t resist capturing it on canvas.

I have also the foto I took for you here in case you want to paint your own version. Additionally to the original foto I have a version with the plain background. I simply replaced the leaves with a single color in a photo app.

In the video, I guide you through:

• The hot pink acrylic base (kept off-camera for simplicity)
• Mixing Amsterdam acrylic colors (with captions showing exact names)
• Finishing details oil-based charcoal and wax crayons in hot pink

We collect our own zinnia seeds each year, so every summer feels like a surprise gift. This delicate flower was too beautiful not to paint.

Watch the full video here:

— Bea Grob | Mixed Media and More