Creating Anemone coronaria: A Journey from Vision to Canvas

Private Collection, Luxembourg | 2025

There's something magical about the moment when a client first shares their vision with you. In 2024, I had the privilege of creating a large-scale study of Anemone coronaria in oil and acrylic on canvas, measuring 80 x 200 cm, for a private collection in Luxembourg. What began as a conversation evolved into a collaborative journey that I'd like to share with you.

Every commissioned piece starts with listening. When we first met, my client shared their ideas, their space, and most importantly, their connection to these magnificent flowers. We pored over their reference pictures together. This initial conversation is crucial. It's where I learn not just what the client wants to see, but what they want to feel when they look at the finished piece. In this case, we discussed scale, composition, the interplay of bold botanical forms against the generous 200 cm width of the canvas.

With our discussion fresh in mind, I began sketching out ideas and drafts. This is where the creative exploration happens - playing with composition, considering how the anemones would flow across the large horizontal format, deciding which blooms would take centre stage and which would provide supporting rhythm.

Once the creative direction was decided, the real work began. I started by laying in the bold colors - those first brave strokes that establish the painting's personality. Oil and acrylic each bring their own qualities to botanical work: the richness and blendability of oils for those deep, velvety petals; the crisp immediacy of acrylics for certain highlights and details.

Slowly, methodically, I worked my way toward the details of each petal and stem. This is where my training in botanical art comes into play - the careful observation, the understanding of how light plays across a petal's surface, the subtle color shifts from the flower's heart to its outermost edge. Each anemone has its own character, its own story to tell.

Large-scale botanical work requires both stamina and patience. At 80 x 200 cm, this canvas demanded weeks of dedicated work, moving from bold gestural beginnings to the finest details - the delicate veining in petals, the texture of stamens, the way stems twist and reach.

The Anemone coronaria blooms dance across the canvas with life and movement, their bold forms and rich colors commanding attention while their delicate details invite closer inspection.

Creating commissioned botanical art is a unique privilege. It's not just about technical skill or botanical accuracy - though those are essential. It's about partnership, about translating someone's vision and emotional connection to the natural world into something tangible and beautiful. It's about those conversations over sketches, those collaborative decisions, and ultimately, creating a piece that will bring joy for years to come.

Anemone coronaria in oil and acrylic on canvas, measuring 80 x 200 cm,

If you're interested in commissioning a botanical work or learning more about my process, I'd love to hear from you.

For more stories about art, the creative process see other blog posts here

Sally Arnold Botanical Artist www.sallyarnold.com