no. 10 flat • no. 16 flat • no. 1 script liner
Thicket • Soft Apple • Rose Pink • Wicker White • Peony • Berry Wine • Yellow Light
1. Create a Patchwork Squares background following the instructions in the techniques section, leaving off the stripes and polka dots. Let dry. Double-load a no. 16 flat with Thicket and Soft Apple and paint the stems and leaves. Add the flower stems and open calyxes with the same colors.
2. Double-load a no. 16 flat with Rose Pink and Wicker White and begin painting the upper back petal of the rosebuds and the outermost layer of the open rose. I placed the rose against the green patchwork square because it provides the most contrast to the white edges of the rose petals.
3. With the same brush and colors, continue painting the second and third layers of the open rose, and add the front petal (a U-stroke) to the upper rosebud.
4. To shade and add depth to the rose center, double-load a no. 10 flat with Rose Pink and Wicker White, plus a little Peony on the Rose Pink side. Paint the centermost petals of the rose and the final petals of the bud. Load a no. 1 script liner with Berry Wine and pull little stamen strokes out from the center of the open rose.
5. Following steps 2–4, paint the lower rose and finish the lower rosebud petals. With Yellow Light on a no. 1 script liner, add little pollen dots to the stamens of the open roses. Double-load a no. 10 flat with Thicket and Soft Apple and stroke calyxes over all the rosebuds. If you wish to add a monogram to your design, find a lettering stencil you like and trace the letter onto the upper left corner patchwork square. Paint it with Peony and outline with Wicker White.