Step-by-step Japanese Cherry Blossoms
Here is a step-by-step process I took when drawing this bespoke artwork commission for a fundraising auction. I began by drawing the outline of the subject and gradually built up the mid-tones of white and grey throughout the petals. Without giving away too many secrets of an artist, as I went along I added in the background which helped me to decide on the tonal factors for the rest of the detail.
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Click through each image for a description of the steps.

Sketched outline of subject, working from left-hand side

Built up background as well as foreground

Filled in same colour in other petals, added to background

Added more detail

More detail and background

Finished underlayer of background

Added butterfly detail

Added highlights/dark detail to create depth, intensified background.