A Peony Watercolor Painting in My Luchetti Sketchbook

My sketching creativity has been flowing when I’m not participating in my other hobbies. I’m still using my new Luchetti sketchbook and I’m finding the need to create bigger paintings across two pages. That can only mean I’m feeling quite comfortable with my new book and I’m doing less erasing of my pencil lines.

Our peonies were in full bloom in our garden and I felt the need to create a sketch. My pencil was gliding across the paper as I was drawing the flowers and leaves.

I started with the left side of the page and I painted the first wash of colors.

I’m still using my watercolor tools of choice. My favorite painting tools are readily available and the only tools I see. My chaos has been contained and I’m able to start sketching and painting without thinking. There’s a sense of freedom and enjoyment in my creativity.

This Luchetti paper is awesome to paint on. No buckling or distortion from my many layers of wet paint and water.

I’ve been mindful of using less water in my colorful mixes and in my brush. Trying to create a few good habits.

I added a few more shadows to the flower and painted more leaves.

I worked on the background and added some hints of color with less details.

I started to paint the right side of the paper.

Here’s my two page spread and still a work in progress.

Update (5/05/26):

I decided to finish my peony painting especially on the right side of my two page spread. I added more color and shadows to the right peony to give it more depth. I added darker colors to the background to make the peony flowers pop out of the page. I love how my flowers appear to be glowing as well.

Summary:

I’m getting used to handling this 8″x8″ size book. At first I thought it was a bit large since I’m used to working in soft bound A5 size art journals. After a few weeks of use, it feels normal to be carrying it around with me. It’s my “huggable” sketchbook.

Paint: Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors. Lemon Yellow, Sap Green, Quinacridone Rose, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, and Burnt Umber.

Brushes: Rosemary & Co R26-Red Dot Pointed Round #4 and R13-Sable Blend Pointed #8. The brushes can be found at Art Toolkit at this link.

Journal: Luchetti True Flat Sketchbook. Mixed Media. 100% cotton. Cold Press. 8″x8″ with 22 sheets/44 pages. 600gsm (300lb). Archival. Acid-Free. Gelatin-free vegan sizing. Vegan PU leather covers. There are a few Luchetti sketchbooks available through Monday (tomorrow) evening for the current Batch 5. The sketchbook can be found at this link.

Palette: Winsor & Newton. There is an empty palette with an included small travel brush available on Amazon.