Inspiration Archives - Peony and Parakeet

Artist Vlog – Day in the Life of an Artist

Päivi — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 15:21:25 +0000

This week, you get to see my day from morning to evening! I’m walking the dogs, painting in oil and watercolor, taking care of my orchids, editing course videos, etc. I hope you enjoy this kind of documentary-style artist vlog! The black journal that I used in the video is the Dylusions Creative Journal. Remember […]

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Starting a New Sketchbook with Botanical Art

Päivi — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:29:11 +0000

This week, I share how I am starting a new sketchbook! Starting the Dingbats Pro Green Beetle Notebook For a long time, I’ve been looking for a sketchbook that works well with both pens and watercolors. I’ve used Fabriano’s thick (200 gsm) Accademia drawing paper for individual drawings for years. But now that I’m gathering […]

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Layered Painting – The Many Details of Golden

Päivi — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Layers make a painting. My newest layered painting, Golden, is surprisingly a rebirth of an older piece of mine. From Gossamer to Golden The painting behind Golden was Gossamer. Gossamer started as a test. I wanted to see if I could finish a painting in one go and with a more minimalist, modern style. I […]

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Drawing a Summer Ornament

Päivi — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:01:57 +0000

This week, I want to show that an ornament can be more than just a decoration. An ornament can be a framework for expression in the same way as a portrait, a still life, or a landscape. I love drawing ornaments. It feels as though the universe is shouting at me: “This is right, this […]

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Abstract Composition in Watercolor

Päivi — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:08:42 +0000

This week, we create geometric and modern art. Pick your supplies, and make an abstract composition! Lately, I’ve been exploring the extremes of my own style, especially when it comes to visual language. I’ve been searching for something angular and adventurous for inspiration, as my style has recently drifted perhaps a bit too much toward […]

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Dramatic Peonies with Colored Pencils and Black Pens

Päivi — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:05:56 +0000

This week, I have a free video for you. Create these dramatic peonies with me! Use colored pencils to add the softness and color, and black pens to bring in the drama! I used regular colored pencils and two black pens – thick and thin. My thick pen is the Copic Gasenfude brush pen, and […]

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Ikigai – Making Intuitive Painting Feel Natural

Päivi — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:29:42 +0000

This week, I show you my newest oil painting, ‘Ikigai,’ and talk about how intuitive painting can become logical, and how a logical painting can feel natural. There are many extraordinary elements in this painting, but it still feels quite realistic and natural. Find the Guiding Element When you create intuitively, the first layers get […]

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What Tsubaki Stationery Store Taught Me About Making Art

Päivi — Thu, 28 May 2026 16:48:01 +0000

I listened to a wonderful book. It was like a refreshing rain pouring straight into my heart. The book is new and by the Japanese author Ito Ogawa. Its Finnish title is Paperikauppa Tsubaki, and it is also being released in English as Tsubaki Stationery Store (Amazon – affiliate link, Goodreads) Tsubaki Stationery Store The […]

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Artistic Line Drawing – What Do You Think About This Course Idea?

Päivi — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:47:13 +0000

To me, all visual art begins with drawing. When you want to get to know yourself, draw! When you want to develop as an artist—say, as a painter—draw! To draw is to think. Make your lines come alive, and gradually, a whole new world will emerge, even on a small piece of paper. That’s what […]

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Three Brave Questions to Ask Yourself about Your Art

Päivi — Thu, 14 May 2026 10:36:25 +0000

This week, I have questions about your art, and I will also share my answers as an example. As an artist, you’re always asked: 1) where do you get your inspiration, 2) how is your art made, and 3) what does it represent or mean? But when you want to go deeper and find answers […]

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You Can Draw Patterned Papers!

Päivi — Thu, 07 May 2026 12:52:35 +0000

This week, I answer the question: “I want to draw, but don’t know how or what! How to start?” My suggestion is to start with patterns. So, draw repeated shapes and make a collection of patterned papers that you can use for collage art, for example. The No-Pencil Approach I usually start my line drawings […]

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Modernistic Style – Create Abstract Art Step by Step!

Päivi — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:52:07 +0000

This week, we take a practical dive into modernistic style. My favorite modernist painters are Birger Carlstedt (1907-1975) and Sam Vanni (1908-1992) from Finland. The most famous modernist was, of course, Pablo Picasso, who was Spanish. My piece has some figurative elements. Although it’s abstract, you can also see plants and light. With this technique, […]

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