Inside Story: 100 Days of Art & Materials I Love
My 100-day floral art practice wasn’t perfect or daily — but it was powerful.
Over time, the rhythm of painting poppies, pansies and other blooms became a quiet ritual: a cup of tea, a blank page, pens and paint scattered across my desk.
In today’s studio journal, I’m sharing the tools, papers, pens and colours I return to again and again — the materials that shaped this floral collection.
Why Materials Matter
Materials don’t just help you make art — they shape your style.
The size of your brush, the texture of paper, or the way a pen glides across the surface… all of it becomes part of the final artwork.
In my 100-day practice, I found that using the right tools helped me:
- Stay consistent
- Work faster with less resistance
- Develop a recognisable style
- Enjoy the process rather than fight it
My Go-To Tools for Floral Art
Here’s what I used most often during the 100 days.
Favourite Surfaces
- A4 and A3 heavy drawing paper (smooth, bright white – perfect for markers and gouache)
- Watercolour paper for softer washes and water-based inks
- Occasionally wood panels or canvas boards (same size each time to stay consistent)
Pens and Paint Markers
- Alcohol markers for bright, flat colour foundations
- Posca paint pens and Molotow markers for detail, dots and linework
- Fine black liners for definition and stems
Paints and Colour Layers
- Acrylic paint for bold petals and opaque colour blocking
- Gouache for soft tones and layering over markers
- A limited palette for most pieces – often pinks, reds, greens, golds and soft lilac tones
Keeping It Consistent — My Studio Rules
I don’t follow many rules in my studio, but during this practice I did give myself simple boundaries:
- Same size surface for every piece — it makes progress easy to see
- Same materials within a week or theme (for example: 7 days of just paint pens, or 10 days of poppies using gouache)
- Keep supplies visible and ready to use so starting each day felt easy
- Number everything — 1/100, 2/100, 3/100 — so I could track growth over time
These small decisions made it easier to show up and create without overthinking.
How Different Materials Shape the Flowers
- Markers and paint pens make petals look graphic and modern — perfect for pansies and poppies
- Gouache and acrylics add softness, blending and depth for peonies and larger blooms
- Fine-liners and gold pen details add rhythm, texture and movement
Each flower became a conversation between the tools and my hand — some bold, some quiet, but always expressive.
What I Learned Along the Way
This practice became more than a discipline — it became a way of seeing.
It taught me:
- You don’t need fancy tools — just tools you love
- Repetition builds skill more than perfection does
- The more you paint, the clearer your style becomes
- Creativity grows best within gentle boundaries
From Practice to Prints
Many of these artworks became part of my floral print collections.
Some remained in sketchbooks, others turned into tea towel designs, card sets and wall art prints — each one holding a moment from my studio.
You can explore the finished floral art prints here: [link to Floral Art Prints collection]
Would You Like to Start Your Own 100-Day Practice?
If you’re thinking of starting a floral art challenge or creative habit, I encourage you to keep it simple:
- Choose a theme
- Pick your tools
- Set gentle boundaries
- And let the practice unfold, whether it takes 100 days or 300
Closing
Thank you for being here in my little corner of colour and creativity.
If you’d like more behind-the-scenes stories, studio updates and floral inspiration, you can join my email list or follow along on Pinterest and Instagram.
Kirsten x
