A Step by Step Archives - Peony and Parakeet

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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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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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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Circulism – Freely with Colored Pencils by Using Circular Motions

Päivi — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:20:01 +0000

This week, I want to bring up a technique called circulism. It’s great for colored pencils when you want to achieve a soft and somewhat vintage look. It’s also a useful technique if you find shading with colored pencils difficult or are hesitant about mixing colors. In this blog post, I show you how to […]

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Easter Chick Art – Draw Step by Step!

Päivi — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:44:41 +0000

Let’s draw more than just a little chick—let’s create Easter chick art! By adding details bit by bit, you can turn even a small drawing into a picture full of atmosphere. You only need colored pencils and paper. My drawing is about 10 x 14 cm (4 x 5,5 inches). Step 1 – The Shape […]

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Colored Pencil Tutorial “Limitless World”

Päivi — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:41:41 +0000

This week, I have a step-by-step colored pencil tutorial for you. It’s called Limitless World. We color without outlines and end up with something that is partly realistic and yet more creative and limitless than any traditional drawing. Supplies This tutorial uses regular colored pencils, but feel free to try it with watercolor pencils, watercolors, […]

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Intuitive Abstracts with Colored Pencils

Päivi — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 13:36:22 +0000

This week, we create abstract art with colored pencils so that we let our intuition lead us. If we only draw realistic art, we miss the layer that is under it. I often call my abstracts “skeletons.” They show how my art is constructed and what its spirit is. By creating abstracts, I can adjust […]

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Pumpkin Drawing Step by Step

Päivi — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:12:05 +0000

This week, I wish you Happy Halloween with this pumpkin drawing tutorial. Draw one pumpkin or many, make a simple drawing or an atmospheric illustration – these easy ideas have many possibilities! My drawing is about 29 x 29 cm (11,5 x 11,5 inches) but you can use these ideas for any size. Start with […]

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Abstract Watercolor Flower Card

Päivi — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:49:23 +0000

This week, I invite you to paint with me. Let’s make an abstract watercolor flower card! Abstract Watercolor Flower Card – Watch the Video! In this video, you see me both creating and talking about abstract floral art. Watch the video and paint with me! I hope my love for abstract florals is contagious! Here’s […]

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Intuitive Flowers with Colored Pencils

Päivi — Thu, 01 May 2025 12:25:59 +0000

This week, we take an intuitive approach to flowers and color them freely with colored pencils. This method can also be easily adapted to watercolors. Everyone’s flowers are different, but we can all start with the same steps. I will show you how to start and how to bring intuition into the process, and then […]

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Vermeer Girl With Heart – Draw With Me!

Päivi — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 12:52:06 +0000

Draw a Vermeer girl by following my formula! This drawing is a modern version of the painting “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer. Here, the earring is not the center of the attention, but a heart and flowers steal the show. I have made a simple formula to draw and color the girl’s […]

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Flower for Your Art Journal – Step by Step Video

Päivi — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 18:22:07 +0000

Let’s pick watercolors and colored pencils and make a flower for your art journal! Scroll down to watch a step-by-step video! This flower can be a rose or a peony or any round and layered species. For me, it’s not so important which flower it is, but what kind of personality it expresses. Here I […]

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